Organization:

Source:

Date Approved:

November 17, 2011

Disclaimer: Please note the codes in our collection might not necessarily be the most recent versions. Please contact the individual organizations or their websites to verify if a more recent or updated code of ethics is available. CSEP does not hold copyright on any of the codes of ethics in our collection. Any permission to use the codes must be sought from the individual organizations directly.

1-100. Single Source of Guidance. This Regulation provides a single source of standards of ethical conduct and ethics guidance, including direction in the areas of financial and employment disclosure systems, post-employment rules, enforcement, and training.

1-101. Disclaimer. A violation of this Regulation does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any person against the U.S., its agencies, its officers or employees, or any other person.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

1-200. Administrative Officer. The individual responsible for the administrative control of personnel within a unit or office, including assistance with training, travel, or personnel actions for individuals of the unit or office.

1-201. Agency. A Department of Defense (DoD) Component as follows: Department of the Army; Department of the Navy; Department of the Air Force; Defense Commissary Agency; Defense Contract Audit Agency; Defense Finance and Accounting Service; Defense Intelligence Agency; Defense Security Service; Defense Logistics Agency; National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; Defense NuclearThreat Reduction Agency; Defense Information Systems Agency; National Security Agency; Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (IG, DoD); and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Employees of DoD Components not designated as separate Agencies, including employees of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), shall be treated as employees of DoD which shall be treated as a separate Agency.

1-202. Agency Designee. The first supervisor who is a commissioned military officer or a civilian above GS/GM-11 in the chain of command or supervision of the DoD employee concerned. Except in remote locations, the Agency Designee may act only after consultation with his local Ethics Counselor. For any military officer in grade 0-7 or above who is in command and any civilian Presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate, the Agency Designee is his Ethics Counselor.

1-203. Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official (Alternate DAEO). An employee of a DoD Agency who has been appointed by the DoD Component Head to serve in the absence of the DoD Component Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO).

1-204. DAEO or Designee. This phrase refers to the Designated Agency Ethics Official, or to the Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official, Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Official, or Ethics Counselor who has been delegated specific written authority by the DoD Component DAEO to perform specific functions on behalf of the DoD Component DAEO.

1-205. Defense Contractor. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, or other legal non-Federal entity that enters into a contract directly with DoD or a DoD Component to furnish services, supplies, or both, including construction. Subcontractors are excluded. Foreign governments or representatives of foreign governments that are engaged in selling to DoD or a DoD Component are defense contractors when acting in that context.

1-206. Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Official (Deputy DAEO). An employee of a DoD Agency who has been appointed, in writing, by the DoD Component DAEO and who has been delegated written authority by that DoD Component DAEO to act on his behalf.

1-207. Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO). A DoD employee appointed, in writing, by the Head of the DoD Agency to administer the provisions of Pub. L. 95-521 (Reference (c)) and this Regulation.

1-208. DoD Component. OSD; the Military Departments; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff; the Unified and SpecifiedCombatant Commands; IG, DoD; the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; the Defense Agencies; the DoD Field Activities; the Combined Commands and Agencies; and the Special Activities, including non-appropriated fund instrumentalities. See subsection 1-201 of this Regulation, above, for those DoD Components that are Agencies.

1-209. DoD Employee

a. Any DoD civilian officer or employee (including special Government employees) of any DoD Component (including any non-appropriated fund activity).

b. Any active duty Regular or Reserve military officer, including warrant officers.

d. Any Reserve or National Guard member on active duty under orders issued pursuant to title 10, United States Code.

e. Any Reserve or National Guard member while performing official duties or functions under the authority of either title 10 or title 32, United States Code, or while engaged in any activity related to the performance of such duties or functions, including any time the member uses his Reserve or National Guard of the United States title or position, or any authority derived there from.

f. Any faculty member in a civil service position or hired pursuant to title 10, United States Code, and any student (including a cadet or midshipman) of an academy, college, university, or school of DoD.

g. Consistent with labor agreements and international treaties and agreements, and host country laws, any foreign national working for a DoD Component except those hired pursuant to a defense contract.

1-210. DoD Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees. See 5 C.F.R., Part 3601 (Reference (qr)). Subsections 2-200 through 2-207 of this Regulation contain the DoD Supplement of 5 C.F.R. 2635 (Reference (d)), which is reproduced in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

1-212. Ethics Counselor. The DoD Component DAEO, Alternate DAEO, Deputy DAEO, or a DoD employee appointed in writing by the DoD Component DAEO or designee to generally assist in implementing and administering the DoD Component command's or organization's ethics program and to provide ethics advice to DoD employees of the DoD Component command or organization in accordance with this Regulation. Except for a DoD Component DAEO, Alternate DAEO, or Deputy DAEO, a DoD employee appointed as an Ethics Counselor shall only serve as a "DAEO or designee" when he has been delegated specific written authority by the DoD Component DAEO to perform specific functions on behalf of the DoD Component DAEO. Except for a DoD Component DAEO, Alternate DAEO, or Deputy DAEO, a DoD employee appointed as an Ethics Counselor shall be an attorney. Legal assistance officers (or equivalent) who also serves as Ethics Counselors must clearly separate these roles. Communications received in an Ethics Counselor capacity are not protected by the attorney-client privilege while communications received in a legal assistance capacity may be. Attorneys who serve as Ethics Counselors must advise individuals being counseled as to the status of that privilege prior to any communications. The term "Ethics Counselor" includes "agency ethics official" as used by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE). See 5 C.F.R. 2635.102.(c) (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

1-213. Former DoD Employee. Any individual defined in subsection 1-209 of this Regulation, above, after termination of active duty or termination of on DoD service, including Reserve military officers who served on active duty for more than 130 days and who are no longer on active duty, or who are in an inactive or retired status.

1-215. He, His, Him, Himself. These pronouns include she, hers, her, and herself. (This section will be deleted in future reissuance of this Regulation.)

1-216. Head of DoD Component Command or Organization. A commander, commanding officer, or other military or civilian DoD employee who exercises command authority within a DoD Component. For the purposes of subsections 3-210.a.(6), 3-210.a.(7), and 3-211., below, the Adjutant General of each State and territory is the “Head of a DoD Component command or organization” regarding National Guard facilities, resources, and personnel of that State or territory.

1-217. Non-Federal Entity. A non-Federal entity is generally a self-sustaining, non-Federal person or organization, established, operated and controlled by any individual(s) acting outside the scope of any official capacity as officers, employees or agents of the Federal Government. A non-Federal entity may operate on DoD installations if approved by the installation commander or higher authority under applicable regulations.

1-218. Non-Public Information. Information generally not available to the public, obtained in the course of one's official DoD duties or position, which would normally not be releasable under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552 (Reference (e)). The term "non-public information" includes "inside information," "proprietary information," and "source selection information." See 5 C.F.R. 2635.703 (b) (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, DoD Directive 5400.07 (Reference (f)), and FAR 3.104-4(j) and (k) and 3.104-52(b) (Reference (a)) in Appendix B of this Regulation.

1-219. Office of Government Ethics. The Federal Government agency responsible for overall direction and leadership concerning Executive Branch policies related to ethics in the Federal Government. See 5 C.F.R. 2638 (Reference (g)) in subsection 11-100 of this Regulation.

1-224220. Personal and Substantial. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.402(b)(4) (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation. 1-225221. Personal Commercial Solicitation. Any effort to contact an individual to conduct or transact matters involving unofficial business, finance, or commerce. This does not include off-duty employment of DoD employees employed in retail establishments. See DoD Directive Instruction 1344.07 (Reference (h)).

1-224. Reserve Military Officer. An individual who currently holds an appointment in the Reserve of a Military Department, or is a military officer of the National Guard with Federal Government recognition.

1-225. Retired Military Officer. Any military officer entitled to receive military retired pay, even though such pay may be waived or pending.

1-226. Senior DoD Official. See 18 U.S.C. 207(c)(2) (Reference (i)); 5 C.F.R. 2641.104. 11/17/2011 (iv) [E]mployed in a position which is held by an active duty commissioned officer of the uniformed services who is serving in a grade or rank for which the pay grade (as specified in section 201 of [United States Code,] title 37 [(reference (k))] is pay grade 0-7 or above.

1-227. Special Government Employee. See the definition at 18 U.S.C. 202. It does not include enlisted members; however, for the purposes of this Regulation, enlisted members shall be considered special Government employees to the same extent that military officers are included in the meaning of the term.

1-228. Title 32 National Guard Member. National Guard members performing military training or other duties under title 32, United States Code, Reference (l).

1-229. Travel Benefits. Travel related gifts, including in kind subsistence and accommodations and payments or reimbursements of expenses, from non-Federal sources.

SECTION 3. GENERAL POLICY

1-300. DoD Policy. It is DoD policy that:

a. A single, uniform source of standards of ethical conduct and ethics guidance shall be maintained within DoD, and each DoD Agency shall implement and administer a comprehensive ethics program to ensure compliance with such standards and guidance;

b. Although OGE regulations, reprinted in this Regulation, do not apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services or “Title 32 National Guard Members,@ the provisions of 5 C.F.R. 2634 (Reference (m)) in subsection 7-100., below, 5 C.F.R. 2635 (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100., below, 5 C.F.R. 2638 (Reference (g)) in subsection 11-100., below,5 C.F.R. 2640 (Reference (o)) in subsection 5-200., below, and 5 C.F.R. 2641 (Reference (p)) in subsection 9-200., below, are hereby determined to be appropriate for, and are made applicable to, enlisted members of the Uniformed Services and “Title 32 National Guard Members” to the same extent that these regulations apply to officers of the Uniformed Services. The following exception applies:

(1) Certain criminal statutes, 18 U.S.C. 203, 205, 207, 208, and 209, (Reference (i)), and related provisions of OGE regulations, do not apply to “Title 32 National Guard Members” or enlisted members of the Uniformed Services. Provisions similar to those of sections 208 and 209 DoD 5500. 7 07-R Change 7, 11/17/2011 of Reference (i) apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services and “Title 32 National Guard Members” as follows:

(a) Except as approved by the DoD Component DAEO, or designee, a “Title 32 National Guard Member” and an enlisted member of the Uniformed Services, including an enlisted special Government employee, shall not participate personally and substantially as part of his official DoD duties, in any particular matter in which he, his spouse, minor child, partner, entity in which he is serving as officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee, or any entity with which he is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment, has a financial interest;

(b) A “Title 32 National Guard Member” and an enlisted member of the Uniformed Services, except an enlisted special Government employee, shall not receive any salary or supplementation of his Federal Government salary, from any entity other than the Federal Government or as may be contributed out of the treasury of any State, county, or municipality, for his services to the Federal Government.

c. DoD employees shall become familiar with all ethics provisions, including the standards set out in E.O. 12674 (Reference (q)) in subsection 12-100 of this Regulation, and comply with them;

d. DoD employees shall become familiar with the scope of and authority for the official activities for which they are responsible. Sound judgment must be exercised. All DoD employees must be prepared to account fully for the manner in which that judgment has been exercised;

e. If the propriety of a proposed action or decision is in question for any reason, DoD employees shall seek guidance from a DoD Component legal counsel, the DoD Component DAEO or designee, or Ethics Counselor, as appropriate;

f. Individual conduct, official programs and daily activities within DoD shall be accomplished lawfully and ethically;

a. Exercise personal leadership and take personal responsibility through the DoD Component DAEO or designee for establishing and maintaining the DoD Component's ethics program and be personally accountable for the DoD Component's compliance with every requirement of this Regulation, including the ethics and procurement integrity training requirements;

b. When authorized, appoint a DoD Component DAEO, through a formal written delegation of authority, who is qualified to oversee and supervise the DoD Component's ethics programs for DoD employees, both civilian and military. (The GC, DoD, may serve as the DAEO for several DoD Components);

c. When authorized, appoint a DoD Component Alternate DAEO who shall serve in the absence of the DoD Component DAEO;

a. Be responsible for the implementation and administration of all aspects of the DoD Component ethics program and manage and oversee local implementation and administration of all matters relating to ethics covered by this Regulation.

b. Appoint DoD Component Deputy DAEOs and Ethics Counselors and delegate to them written authority to act on behalf of the DoD Component DAEO;

c. Ensure that ethics advice (and facts relied upon for such advice) is in writing, when practicable; d. Ensure that written opinions regarding the applicability of 41 U.S.C. 423 2103-2107 (Reference (b)) are provided within 30 days of request by any DoD employee provided that the request is accompanied by complete and full information necessary to render an opinion;

e. Ensure the proper collection, review, and handling of the DoD Component's financial and employment disclosure reports, including those submitted by Presidential appointees for confirmation purposes;

f. Be responsible for the implementation and administration of ethics and procurement integrity training and ensure that necessary resources are available to accomplish such training; g. Provide periodic ethics and procurement integrity training for Ethics Counselors;

h. Certify Qualified Individuals to conduct ethics training;

i. Assist Agency Designees, through the chain of command or supervision, in initiating prompt, effective action to evaluate and process violations, potential violations, and appearances of violations of ethics laws or regulations, in accordance with applicable procedures as discussed in Chapter 10 of this Regulation;

j. Provide advice and assistance to DoD employees of the DoD Component not otherwise served by a local Ethics Counselor;

k. Oversee and coordinate local ethics programs through a system for periodic evaluation and ensure that the DoD Component provides and maintains sufficient funding, staff, space and resources to administer the DoD Component's ethics programs;

l. Maintain liaison with the DoD EOC, OGE, and the DoD Standards of Conduct Office (SOCO), and provide to SOCO and OGE all information required by law or regulation;

m. Represent the DoD Component to OGE, Congress, the Executive Branch and the public on matters relating to ethics and standards of conduct.

1-402. Each DoD Component Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official (Alternate DAEO) shall serve in the absence of the DoD Component DAEO and, when so serving, is authorized to take any action this Regulation indicates may be taken only by the DoD Component DAEO.

1-403. Each DoD Component Deputy Designated Agency Ethics Official (Deputy DAEO) shall serve on behalf of the DoD Component DAEO consistent with written delegation of authority from the DoD Component DAEO.

1-404. The Head of each DoD Component command or organization shall:

a. Exercise personal leadership and take personal responsibility for establishing and maintaining the command's or organization's ethics program in coordination with the command's or organization's Ethics Counselors;

b. Be personally accountable for the command's or organization's ethics program, including its ethics and procurement integrity training program, and the command's or organization's compliance with every requirement of this Regulation;

c. Provide sufficient resources to enable the command's or organization's Ethics Counselors to implement and administer the local aspects of the command's or organization's ethics program in a positive and effective manner;

d. Ensure the prompt resolution of any actual or apparent conflict of interest involving a DoD employee of the command or organization;

e. Direct Administrative Officers (or equivalent) of the command or organization to ensure that the position descriptions of the DoD Component command or organization indicate if financial disclosure report filing, annual ethics training or procurement integrity training is required and ensure the accuracy of personnel data provided by the Director of the DoD Component personnel office on DoD employees of the command or organization;

f. Direct Administrative Officers (or equivalent) of the command or organization to coordinate with the DoD Component DAEO or designee to develop lists of all DoD employees of the command or organization who are required to receive ethics and procurement integrity training, schedule such training, annotate such lists to indicate when required training was accomplished and retain annotated lists for three years;

g. Ensure that DoD employees of the command or organization who are in positions requiring the filing of SF OGE Form 450, "Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports," do so in a timely manner;

c. Collect and publish important written opinions from DoD Components, when practicable, to promote uniformity of ethics opinions throughout DoD;

d. Monitor and assist DoD Component DAEOs in ensuring effective corrective action is taken to remedy violations, potential violations and the appearance of violations of ethics laws or this Regulation;

e. Certify Qualified Individuals to conduct ethics training who may be used by DoD Components;

f. Make ethics and procurement integrity training for ethics trainers available on an ongoing basis to ensure that Qualified Individuals are uniformly prepared to provide such training;

g. Distribute ethics and procurement integrity training material to all DoD Component DAEOs for use in all types of ethics and procurement integrity training;

h. In the interest of Federal Government efficiency and economy, establish and maintain a resource center of ethics and procurement integrity materials (including training materials) developed by DoD Components.

1-410. The Director, Washington Headquarters Services shall:

a. Prepare an annual report listing all the defense contractors that have been awarded $25,000 or more in defense contracts during the fiscal year;

b. Distribute the annual report to the DoD Component DAEOs not later than December 31 following the end of the fiscal year.

1-411. Each Ethics Counselor shall:

a. Provide written and oral advice, counseling, and assistance to his DoD Component command or organization and to the DoD employees of his DoD Component command or organization, on all ethics matters, particularly areas covered by this Regulation and related statutes and regulations;

b. Request assistance, through appropriate channels, from the DoD Component DAEO or designee on any matter that cannot be resolved locally;

c. Maintain a current copy of this Regulation, and all changes, for review by any DoD employee;

d. Maintain a thorough understanding of current DoD ethics policy through contact with the DoD Component DAEO, attendance at periodic ethics training courses, and other appropriate methods;

e. Promptly provide a copy to the DoD Component DAEO of precedential written decisions to assist uniformity throughout the DoD Components;

f. Perform other duties as assigned by written delegation from the DoD Component DAEO;

g. Review financial disclosure reports in accordance with Chapter 7 of this Regulation.

1-412. The Inspector General of each DoD Component shall:

a. Investigate ethics matters arising in the DoD Component, and refer any such matters that involve suspected criminal violations to the appropriate criminal investigative office of the DoD Component;

b. Report to the DoD Component DAEO or designee on investigations that result in referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and on disciplinary actions that must be reported in response to the OGC annual ethics survey;

c. Ensure inspectors and agents are educated in ethics matters to ensure appropriate handling of ethics related cases and calls;

a. Provide the DoD Component DAEO or designee such personnel data on DoD employees, both civilian and military, as may be required by the DoD Component DAEO or designee;

b. Assign personnel action officers the responsibility of providing the required information at local levels;

c. In coordination with the DoD Component DAEO or designee, establish procedures to inform new DoD employees of their obligation to receive ethics and procurement integrity training as required;

d. In coordination with the DoD Component DAEO or designee, establish out-processing procedures and records to advise DoD employees of available counseling regarding post-employment and procurement integrity restrictions prior to departure from DoD;

e. In coordination with the DoD Component DAEO or designee, establish procedures to advise incoming and outgoing DoD employees of their financial and employment disclosure reporting obligations.

a. Ensure that each position description of the DoD Component command or organization indicates if an SFOGE Form 278, "Public Financial Disclosure Report," or SFOGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation, and annual ethics and procurement integrity training are required so prospective or new DoD employees are on notice of such requirements prior to employment;

b. Upon the request of the DAEO or designee, ensure the accuracy of personnel data provided by the Director of the DoD Component personnel office on DoD employees of the DoD Component command or organization;

c. In coordination with the DoD Component DAEO or designee, develop a list of all DoD employees within the DoD Component command or organization who are required to receive ethics and procurement integrity training;

d. In coordination with the DoD Component DAEO or designee, ensure that DoD employees of the DoD Component command or organization are scheduled to receive required ethics and procurement integrity training;

e. Annotate such list to indicate when required training was accomplished and retain annotated list for three years.

1-415. Each DoD Employee shall:

a. Abide by the ethical principles established by E.O. 12674 (Reference (q)), in subsection 12-100 of this Regulation, ethics statutes, and the ethics regulations promulgated by OGE and the DoD there under;

b. Set a personal example for fellow DoD employees in performing official duties within the highest ethical standards;

c. Report suspected violations of ethics regulations in accordance with subsection 10-200 of this Regulation;

d. Perform all official duties so as to facilitate Federal Government efficiency and economy;

2-200. Purpose. In accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.105 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, regulations in this part apply to employees of the Department of Defense (DoD) and supplement the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch" contained in 5 C.F.R., Part 2635 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation. DoD employees are required to comply with 5 C.F.R. Part 2635 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, this Regulation part, and implementing guidance and procedures.

a Pursuant to 5 C.F.R. 2635.203(a) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, each of the following Components of DoD is designated as a separate Agency for purposes in regulations in subpart B of 5 C.F.R., Part 2635 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, governing gifts from outside sources and 5 C.F.R. 2635.807 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, governing teaching, speaking and writing:

(11)National Imagery and Mapping Agency (which was redesignated as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in 2004);

(12) Defense Threat Reduction Agency;

(13) National Security Agency;

(14) Office of the Inspector General;

(15) Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences;

(16) Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals

b. Employees of DoD Components not designated as separate Agencies, including employees of OSD, will be treated as employees of DoD which shall be treated as a single Agency that is separate from the above listed agencies for purposes of determining whether the donor of a gift is a prohibited source under 5 C.F.R. 2635.203(d) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, and for identifying the DoD employee's Agency under 5 C.F.R. 2635.807 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, governing teaching, speaking and writing.

2-202. Additional Exceptions for Gifts from Outside Sources. See 5 C.F.R. 3601.103. In addition to the gifts which come within the exceptions set forth in 5 C.F.R. 2635.204 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, and subject to all provisions of 5 C.F.R. 2635.201 through 2635.205 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, a DoD employee may accept gifts from outside sources otherwise prohibited by 5 C.F.R. 2635.202(a) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, as follows:

a. Events Sponsored by States, Local Governments or Civic Organizations. A DoD employee may accept a sponsor's unsolicited gift of free attendance for himself and an accompanying spouse at an event sponsored by a State or local government or by a civic organization exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4) (Reference (b)), when:

(1) The Agency Designee has determined that the community relations interests of the Agency will be served by the DoD employee's attendance;

(2) The cost of the DoD employee's and the spouse's attendance is provided by the sponsor in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.204(g)(5) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation; and

(3) The gift of free attendance meets the definition in 5 C.F.R. 2635.204(g)(4) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

b. Scholarships and Grants. A DoD employee, or the dependent of a DoD employee, may accept an educational scholarship or grant from an entity that does not have interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or non-performance of the DoD employee's official duties, or from an association or similar entity that does not have a majority of members with such interests, if the DoD Component DAEO or designee determines that: (

1) The scholarship or grant is made as part of an established program of grants or awards that is funded, wholly or in part, to ensure its continuation on a regular basis and under which recipients are selected pursuant to written standards; or

(2) The scholarship or grant is established for the benefit of DoD employees, or the dependents of DoD employees, and recipients are selected pursuant to written standards approved by the Secretary of Defense or, where the scholarship or grant is available only to military members or their dependents, by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned.

2-203. Additional Limitations on Gifts Between DoD Employees. See 5 C.F.R. 3601.104. The following limitations shall apply to gifts from groups of DoD employees that include a subordinate and to voluntary contributions to gifts for superiors permitted under 5 C.F.R. 2635.304(c)(1) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation:

a. Gifts From a Group That Includes a Subordinate. Regardless of the number of DoD employees contributing to a gift or gifts on a special, infrequent occasion as permitted by 5 C.F.R. 2635.304(c)(1) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, a DoD employee may not accept a gift or gifts from a donating group if the market value exceeds an aggregate of $300 and if the DoD employee knows or has reason to know that any member of the donating group is his subordinate.

(1) The cost of items excluded from the definition of a gift by 5 C.F.R. 2635.203(b), (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, and the cost of food, refreshments and entertainment provided to the DoD employee and his personal guests to mark the occasion for which the gift is given shall not be included in determining whether the value of a gift or gifts exceeds the $300 aggregate limit.

(2) The value of a gift or gifts from two or more donating groups shall be aggregated and shall be considered to be from a single donating group if the DoD employee offered the gift knows or has reason to know that an individual who is his subordinate is a member of more than one of the donating groups.

b. Voluntary Contribution. For purposes of 5 C.F.R. 2635.304(c)(1), (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, the nominal amount of a voluntary contribution that a DoD employee may solicit from another DoD employee for a group gift to the contributing DoD employee's superior for any special, infrequent occasion shall not exceed $10. A voluntary contribution of a nominal amount for food, refreshments and entertainment for the superior, the personal guests of the superior and other attendees at an event to mark the occasion for which a group gift is given may be solicited as a separate, voluntary contribution not subject to the $10 limit.

a. Disqualifying Financial Interests. A DoD employee who is required, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.402(c) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, to disqualify himself from participation in a particular matter to which he has been assigned shall, notwithstanding the guidance in 5 C.F.R. 2635.402(c)(1) and (2) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, provide written notice of disqualification to his supervisor upon determining that he will not participate in the matter.

b. Disqualification to Ensure Impartiality. A DoD employee who is required, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.502(e) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, to disqualify himself from participation in a particular matter involving specific parties to which he has been assigned shall, notwithstanding the guidance in 5 C.F.R. 2635.502(e)(1) and (2) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, provide written notice of disqualification to his supervisor upon determining that he will not participate in the matter.

c. Disqualification From Matter Effecting Prospective Employeers. A DoD employee who is required, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.604(a) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, to disqualify himself from participation in a particular matter to which he has been assigned shall, notwithstanding the guidance in 5 C.F.R. 2635.604(b) and (c) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, provide written notice of disqualification to his supervisor upon determining that he will not participate in the matter.

d. Withdrawal of Notification. A DoD employee may withdraw written notice under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this section upon deciding that disqualification from participation in the matter is no longer required.

2-205. Limitation on Solicited Sales. See 5 C.F.R. 3601.106. A DoD employee shall not knowingly solicit or make solicited sales to DoD personnel who are junior in rank, grade or position, or to the family members of such personnel, on or off duty. In the absence of coercion or intimidation, this does not prohibit the sale or lease of a DoD employee's non-commercial personal or real property or commercial sales solicited and made in a retail establishment during off-duty employment. The posting of an advertisement in accordance with Federal building management policies does not constitute solicitation for purposes of this section.

2-206. Prior Approval for Outside Employment and Business Activities. See 5 C.F.R. 3601.107.

a. A DoD employee, other than a special Government employee, who is required to file a financial disclosure report, OGE Form 450 or OGE Form 278, shall obtain written approval from the Agency Designee before engaging in a business activity or compensated outside employment with a prohibited source, unless general approval has been given in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, below. Approval shall be granted unless a determination is made that the business activity or compensated outside employment is expected to involve conduct prohibited by statute or regulation. Also see subsection 2-303 of this Regulation, below. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Business activity. A business, contractual or other financial relationship not involving the provision of personal services by the DoD employee. It does not include a routine commercial transaction or the purchase of an asset or interest, such as common stock, that is available to the general public.

(2) Employment. A form of non-Federal employment or business relationship involving the provision of personal services by the DoD employee. It includes, but is not limited to, personal services as an officer, director, employee, agent, attorney, consultant, contractor, general partner or trustee.

(3) Prohibited source. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.203(d) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, as (modified by the separate DoD Component Agency designations in section 3601.102, subsection 2-201 of this section, above).

b. The DoD Component DAEO or designee may, by a written notice, exempt categories of business activities or employment from the requirement of a) of this section, above, for prior approval based on a determination that business activities or employment within those categories would generally be approved and are not likely to involve conduct prohibited by statute or regulation.

2-207. Disclaimer for Speeches and Writings Devoted to Agency Matters. See 5 C.F.R. 3601.108. A DoD employee who uses or permits the use of his military grade or who includes or permits the inclusion of his title or position as one of several biographical details given to identify himself in connection with teaching, speaking or writing, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.807(b) (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, shall make a disclaimer if the subject of the teaching, speaking or writing deals in significant part with any ongoing or announced policy, program or operation of the DoD employee's Agency, as defined in section 3601.102, subsection 2-201 of this Regulation, above, and the DoD employee has not been authorized by appropriate Agency authority to present that material as the Agency's position.

The disclaimer shall be made as follows:

a. The required disclaimer shall expressly state that the views presented are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components;

b. Where a disclaimer is required for an article, book or other writing, the disclaimer shall be printed in a reasonably prominent position in the writing itself;

c. Where a disclaimer is required for a speech or other oral presentation, the disclaimer may be given orally provided it is given at the beginning of the oral presentation.

b. Ship Launch and Similar Ceremonies. Unless the gift is otherwise acceptable under an exception in 5 C.F.R. 2635, Subpart B (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, a DoD employee may not accept gifts in connection with a ceremony to mark the completion of a milestone in shipbuilding, aircraft completion, or similar vehicle launch or roll-out unless attendance is official and is approved by the head of the DoD Component command or organization and the gifts are limited to the following (see 5 U.S.C. 7301 note (Reference (e))):

(1) Attendance at appropriate functions incident to the ceremony, such as a dinner preceding the ceremony and reception following it, and related food, hospitality and entertainment, as long as the function and related benefits are not lavish, excessive, or extravagant;

(2) Tangible gifts or mementos in connection with the ceremony to DoD employees, their spouses, and their dependent children, who are official participants in the ceremony, as long as the aggregate retail value does not exceed $100 per family and the cost is not borne by the Federal Government. When such gifts exceed the $100 limit, the recipient shall pursue one of the following alternatives:

(a) Return the gift to the donor;

(b) Retain the gift after reimbursing the donor the full value of the gift; or

(c) Forward the gift to the appropriate DoD Component official for disposition as a gift to the Federal Government in accordance with statute. See 10 U.S.C. 2601 (Reference (g)).

2-301. Use of Federal Government Resources

a. Communication Systems. Federal Government communication systems and equipment (including Government owned telephones, facsimile machines, electronic mail, internet systems, and commercial systems when use is paid for by the Federal Government) shall be for official use and authorized purposes only.

(1) Official use includes emergency communications and communications that the DoD Component determines are necessary in the interest of the Federal Government. Official use may include, when approved by theater commanders in the interest of morale and welfare, communications by military members and other DoD employees who are deployed for extended periods away from home on official DoD business.

(2) Authorized purposes include brief communications made by DoD employees while they are traveling on Government business to notify family members of official transportation or schedule changes. They also include personal communications from the DoD employee's usual work place that are most reasonably made while at the work place (such as checking in with spouse or minor children; scheduling doctor and auto or home repair appointments; brief internet searches; e-mailing directions to visiting relatives) when the Agency Designee permits categories of communications, determining that such communications:

(a) Do not adversely affect the performance of official duties by the DoD employee or the DoD employee's organization;

(b) Are of reasonable duration and frequency, and whenever possible, made during the DoD employee's personal time such as after duty hours or lunch periods;

(c) Serve a legitimate public interest (such as keeping DoD employees at their desks rather than requiring the use of commercial systems; educating the DoD employee on the use of the communications system; improving the morale of DoD employees stationed for extended periods away from home; enhancing the professional skills of the DoD employee; job-searching in response to Federal Government downsizing);

(d) Do not put Federal Government communications systems to uses that would reflect adversely on DoD or the DoD Component (such as uses involving pornography; chain letters; unofficial advertising, soliciting or selling except on authorized bulletin boards established for such use; violations of statute or regulation; inappropriately handled classified information; and other uses that are incompatible with public service); and

(e) Do not overburden the communication system (such as may be the case with broadcasts and group mailings), create no significant additional cost to DoD or the DoD Component, and in the case of long distance communications, charges are:

1. Charged to the DoD employee's home telephone number or other non-Federal Government number (third number call);

2. Made to a toll free number;

3. Reversed to the called party if a non-Federal Government number (collect call);

4. Charged to a personal telephone credit card; or

5. Otherwise reimbursed to DoD or the DoD Component in accordance with established collection procedures;

(3) In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, use of Federal Government communications systems may be monitored. See DoD Instruction 68560.01 (Reference (j)). DoD employees shall use Federal Government communications systems with the understanding that such use serves as consent to monitoring of any type of use, including incidental and personal uses, whether authorized or unauthorized. In addition, use of such systems is not anonymous. For example, for each use of the internet over Federal Government systems, the name and computer address of the DoD employee user is recorded by the Government and also by the locations searched.

(4) Most Federal Government communications systems are not secure. DoD employees shall not transmit classified information over any communication system unless it is transmitted using approved security procedures and practices (e.g., encryption, secure networks, secure workstations). In addition, DoD employees shall not release access information, such as passwords, to anyone unless specifically authorized to do so by the Agency Designee. See DoD Directive 8500.01E (Reference (k)), DoD Instruction 8500.2 (Reference (r), and DoD Instruction 8523.01 (Reference (l)). DoD employees should exercise extreme care when transmitting any sensitive information, or other valued data. Information transmitted over an open network (such as through unsecure e-mail, the internet, or telephone) may be accessible to anyone else on the network. Information transmitted through the internet or by e-mail, for example, is accessible to anyone in the chain of delivery. Internet information and e-mail messages may be re-sent to others by anyone in the chain.

b. Other Federal Government Resources. Other than the use of Federal Government communications systems authorized in accordance with subsection 2-301.a. of this Regulation, above; the use of Federal Government resources as logistical support to non-Federal entity events in accordance with subsection 3-211 of this Regulation, below; and the use of Federal Government time authorized in accordance with subsection 3-300 of this Regulation, below;

Federal Government resources, including personnel, equipment, and property, shall be used by DoD employees for official purposes only, except as follows:

(1) Agency Designees may permit their DoD employees to make limited personal use of Federal Government resources other than personnel, such as typewriters, calculators, libraries, and other similar resources and facilities, if the Agency Designee determines the following:

(a) The use does not adversely affect the performance of official duties by the DoD employee or the DoD employee's organization;

(b) The use is of reasonable duration and frequency, and made only during the DoD employee's personal time such after duty hours or lunch periods;

(c) The use serves a legitimate public interest (such as supporting local charities or volunteer services to the community; enhancing the professional skills of the DoD employee; job-searching in response to Federal Government downsizing);

(d) The use does not put Federal Government resources to uses that would reflect adversely on DoD or the DoD Component (such as involving commercial activities; unofficial advertising, soliciting or selling; violation of statute or regulation; and other uses that are incompatible with public service); and

(e) The use creates no significant additional cost to DoD or the DoD Component.

(2) The use of personnel for non-Federal purposes is regulated by subsections 3-211 and 3-305303 of this Regulation, below.

2-302. Gambling

a. While on Government-owned or leased property or on duty for the Government (for military members, this means, in this context, present for duty), an employee shall not conduct or participate in any gambling activity, including operating a gambling device, conducting a lottery or pool, participating in a game for money or property, or selling or purchasing a numbers slip or ticket. See 5 C.F.R. 735.201 (Reference (m)). This section does not preclude activities:

(1) Activities necessitated by an employee's official duties;

(2) Occurring under section 7 of Executive Order 12353 and similar agency-approved activities (charitable fundraising);

(3) Private wagers among DoD employees if based on a personal relationship and transacted entirely within assigned Federal Government living quarters and within the limitations of local laws; or

(4) Purchases of lottery tickets authorized by any State from blind vendors licensed to operate vending facilities in accordance with 20 U.S.C. 107a(5) (Reference (n)).

b. Gambling with a subordinate may be a violation of Articles 133 and 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) (Reference (g)).

c. Gambling may be prohibited by Federal Government building and grounds regulations, such as 32 C.F.R. Part 234 (Reference (o)) which prohibits gambling in the Pentagon. See also 41 C.F.R. 102-74.395 and 5 C.F.R., Part 735.

2-303. Outside Employment and Activity. In addition to subsection 2-206 of this Regulation, above, except to the extent that whenprocedures have been established by higher authority for any class of DoD employee (e.g., DoD 6025. 13-R, section 4.7, Off-Duty Employment by DoD Healthcare Practitioners (Reference (p))), Agency Designees may require DoD employees under their jurisdiction to report any outside employment or activity prior to engaging in the employment or activity. See subsection 3-304 of this Regulation, below.

a. The commander, head of the organization, or supervisor may prohibit the employment or activity if he believes that the proposed outside activity will detract from readiness or pose a security risk.

b. If action is not taken to prohibit the employment or activity, the DoD employee is free to engage in the employment or activity in keeping with other restrictions of this Regulation.

2-304. Use of Military Title by Retirees or Reserves. Retired military members and members of Reserve Components, not on active duty, may use military titles in connection with commercial enterprises, provided they clearly indicate their retired or inactive Reserve status. However, any use of military titles is prohibited if it in any way casts discredit on DoD or gives the appearance of sponsorship, sanction, endorsement, or approval by DoD. In addition, in overseas areas, commanders may further restrict the use of titles by retired military members and members of Reserve Components. See 10 U.S.C. 772; DoD Instruction 1344.01; and Service specific regulations.

SECTION 4. REFERENCES

2-400. References (a) Part 2635 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations

a. Agency Designees may permit their DoD employees to attend meetings, conferences, seminars, or similar events sponsored by non-Federal entities in their official DoD capacities at Federal Government expense if there is a legitimate Federal Government purpose in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 4101 et seq. (Reference (b)) and 37 U.S.C. 412 (Reference (c)), such as training a DoD employee beyond maintaining professional credentials or gathering information of value to the DoD.

b. DoD employees are prohibited from attending events sponsored by non-Federal entities in their official DoD capacities at Federal Government expense solely to acquire or maintain professional credentials that are a minimum requirement to hold the DoD position. See 5 U.S.C. 5946 (Reference (b)) and 31 U.S.C. 1345 (Reference (d)).

3-201. Membership

a. DoD employees may serve as DoD liaisons to non-Federal entities when appointed by the head of the DoD Component command or organization who determines there is a significant and continuing DoD interest to be served by such representation. Liaisons serve as part of their official DoD duties, under DoD Component memberships, and represent only DoD interests to the non-Federal entity in an advisory capacity. Liaisons may not be involved in matters of management or control of the non-Federal entity. Liaisons may officially represent DoD in discussions of matters of mutual interest with non-Federal entities providing it is made clear to the non-Federal entities that the opinions expressed by liaisons do not bind DoD or any DoD Component to any action.

b. DoD employees may not accept DoD Component membership in a non-Federal entity on behalf of DoD except as provided by statute or regulation. See e.g., 10 U.S.C. 2601(b) (Reference (f)). DoD may pay for DoD memberships in accordance with opinions of the Comptroller General, such as 24 Comp. Gen. 814 (Reference (e)). DoD is prohibited from paying for individual memberships by 5 U.S.C. 5946 (Reference (b)). See subsection 3-301 of this Regulation, below, regarding allotments for payment of individual memberships held in a personal capacity.

3-202. Management. DoD employees may not participate in their official DoD capacities in the management of non-Federal entities without authorization from the DoD General Counsel, except as set out below.

a. The Secretary concerned, with the concurrence of the DoD General Counsel, may authorize, on a case-by-case basis, an employee under the Secretary’s jurisdiction to serve without compensation as a director, officer, or trustee, or otherwise to participate in the management of an entity designated by the DoD General Counsel in accordance with section 3-202.b., below. Any such authorization shall be in writing, and shall identify the particular employee to participate, specify the capacity in which that employee shall participate, and identify the entity. Such authorization may be made only for the purpose of providing oversight and advice to, and coordination with, the designated entity. Such authorization may not extend to participation in the day-to-day operations of the entity, nor involve the expenditure of appropriated funds except in the direct support of the employee. Such expenditures may not include travel and transportation allowances incurred by the employee while in a travel status. Participation in the management of the non-Federal entity may not constitute the employee's primary duty.

b. Designated Entities:

(1) In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 1033(b) and 1589(b) (Reference (g)), the following entities are eligible for authorization under section 3-202.a., above:

(a) Army Emergency Relief.

(b) Air Force Aid Society, Inc.

(c) Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

(d) Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.

(2) The DoD General Counsel may designate, no more frequently than semiannually, entities that are not operated for profit and are any of the following:

(a) An entity that regulates and supports the athletic programs of the service academies (including athletic conferences).

(b) An entity that regulates international athletic competitions.

(c) An entity that accredits service academies and other schools of the armed forces (including regional accrediting agencies).

(d) An entity that (i) regulates the performance, standards, and policies of military health care (including health care associations and professional societies), and (ii) has designated the position or capacity in that entity in which a member of the Armed Forces may serve if authorized under section 3-202.a., above.

c. Requests for designation under this section shall be submitted in writing to the DoD General Counsel.

d. The DoD General Counsel shall ensure that designations of entities are published in the Federal Register. The Secretary concerned shall ensure that employee authorizations under this section are published in the Federal Register, and shall provide a copy of such publications to the DoD General Counsel.

3-203. Impartiality of Agency Designee and Travel-Approving Authority. When a DoD employee requests permission to travel to or participate in activities of a non-Federal entity and the Agency Designee or travel approving authority is an active participant in the non-Federal entity, that Agency Designee or travel approving authority may not act on the DoD employee's request but shall defer such action to the next higher superior or another independent DoD authority. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.402 and 2635.502 (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation and 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (i)).

3-204. Impartiality of DoD Employees. DoD employees are generally prohibited from engaging in any official activities in which a non-Federal entity is a party or has a financial interest if the DoD employee is an active participant in the non-Federal entity or has been an officer in the non-Federal entity within the last year. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.402 and 2635.502 (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation and 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (i)).

3-205. Remuneration. DoD employees may not receive any salary or salary supplement from a non-Federal entity for performance of DoD duties. See 18 U.S.C. 209 (Reference (i)).

3-206. Co-sponsorship. A DoD Component command or organization is a co-sponsor of an event when that DoD Component command or organization is one of the organizations that develops the substantive aspects of the event or provides substantial logistical support for the event. Co-sponsorship of events with a non-Federal entity is prohibited except as follows:

a. A DoD Component command or organization may co-sponsor a civic or community activity, except for fundraising or membership drives, where the head of the DoD Component command or organization determines that the activity is unrelated to the purpose or business of the co-sponsoring, non-Federal entity or the purpose or business of any of its members. See DoD Instruction 5410.20 (Reference (j));

b. A DoD Component command or organization may co-sponsor a conference, seminar or similar event with a non-Federal entity when all of the following requirements are met:

(1) The head of the DoD Component command or organization finds that the subject matter of the event (or co-sponsored discrete portion) is scientific, technical or professional issues that are relevant to the mission of the DoD Component command or organization;

(2) The head of the DoD Component command or organization finds that the purpose of co-sponsorship is to transfer Federally developed technology or to stimulate wider interest and inquiry into the scientific, technical or professional issues identified above, and that the event is open to interested parties;

(3) The non-Federal entity is a recognized scientific, technical, educational, or professional organization approved for this purpose by the DoD Component DAEO, giving due consideration to the prohibition against giving preferential treatment to non-Federal entity in 5 C.F.R. 2635.101(b)(8) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation (Reference (h));

(4) The DoD Component command or organization accomplishes the co-sponsorship through a written agreement that includes the nature and purpose of the event; the undertakings and liabilities of the parties; funding responsibilities and costs (including admission fees); a disclaimer of Government liability if the DoD Component command or organization reduces the level of its participation or completely withdraws; and a statement that the non-Federal entity will not use the fact of co-sponsorship of the event to imply DoD endorsement of the organization or its other events. If applicable, the DoD Component command or organization should execute the agreement pursuant to specific statutory authority, such as a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement as identified in 31 U.S.C. 6303 through 6306 (Reference (d)); a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3710a (Reference (k)); a cooperative agreement or other transaction identified in 10 U.S.C. 2371 (Reference (f)).

(5) No admission fee (beyond what will cover the reasonable costs of sponsoring the event) may be charged for a co-sponsored event, or no admission fee (beyond what will cover the reasonable costs of sponsoring the event) may be charged for the discrete portions of the event co-sponsored by the DoD Component.

c. If the DoD Component desires to sponsor an event, but requires assistance in making the arrangements, the DoD Component may arrange, through normal acquisition procedures, to have a non-Federal entity provide whatever assistance is necessary. If the event is open to individuals outside the Federal Government, attendance may not be limited to members of the supporting non-Federal entity. The supporting non-Federal entity may be permitted to mention its support in conference materials, but not in terms which imply that it is sponsoring or co-sponsoring the event.

3-207. Participation in Conferences and Similar Events. Subject to the provisions of subsection 3-211 of this Regulation, below, and in accordance with public affairs regulations and 31 U.S.C. 1345 (Reference (d)), DoD employees may participate in their official DoD capacities as speakers or panel members at conferences, seminars, or similar events sponsored by non-Federal entities.

3-208. Distributing Information. In accordance with public affairs regulations, official channels may be used to notify DoD employees of events of common interest sponsored by non-Federal entities.

3-209. Endorsement. Endorsement of a non-Federal entity, event, product, service, or enterprise may be neither stated nor implied by DoD or DoD employees in their official capacities and titles, positions, or organization names may not be used to suggest official endorsement or preferential treatment of any non-Federal entity except those listed in subsection3-210., below. DoD employees may use or allow the use of their titles, positions, or organization names in conjunction with their own names only to identify themselves in the performance of their official duties. Use of titles, positions, and organization names when acting in a personal capacity is covered by subsection 3-300., below. Offering group life insurance programs sponsored by the State Military Department, to the same extent and similar manner as offering of the Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program, is not an endorsement of a non-Federal entity in violation of this Regulation.

3-210. Fundraising and Membership Drives a. DoD employees shall not officially endorse or appear to endorse membership drives or fundraising for any non-Federal entity except the following organizations which are not subject to the provisions of subsection 3-211 of this Regulation, below:

(1) The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC);

(2) Emergency and disaster appeals approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM);

(6) Other organizations composed primarily of DoD employees or their dependents when fundraising among their own members for the benefit of welfare funds for their own members or their dependents when approved by the head of the DoD Component command or organization after consultation with the DAEO or designee. (This includes most morale, welfare and recreation programs, regardless of funding sources).

(7) For National Guard Members who are “DoD employees” as defined in subsection 1-211.209, above, charitable, community, or civic organizations, as identified in 32 U.S.C. 508 and DoD Directive 1100.20 (References (l) and (m)), when approved by the head of the DoD Component command or organization after consultation with the DAEO, or designee; provided, however, that no member of the National Guard may be ordered, coerced, or compelled to participate in or contribute to any fundraising or membership drives.

a. The head of a DoD Component command or organization may provide DoD employees in their official capacities to express DoD policies as speakers, panel members or other participants, or, on a limited basis, the use of DoD facilities and equipment (and the services of DoD employees necessary to make proper use of the equipment), as logistical support of an event sponsored by a non-Federal entity, except for fundraising and membership drive events, when the head of the DoD command or organization determines all of the following:

(1) The support does not interfere with the performance of official duties and would in no way detract from readiness;

(2) DoD community relations with the immediate community and/or other legitimate DoD public affairs or military training interests are served by the support;

(3) It is appropriate to associate DoD, including the concerned Military Department, with the event;

(4) The event is of interest and benefit to the local civilian community, the DoD Component command or organization providing the support, or any other part of DoD;

(5) The DoD Component command or organization is able and willing to provide the same support to comparable events that meet the criteria of this subsection and are sponsored by other similar non-Federal entities;

(6) The use is not restricted by other statutes (see 10 U.S.C. 2012 (Reference (f)) which limits support that is not based on customary community relations or public affairs activities) or regulations; and

(7) No admission fee (beyond what will cover the reasonable costs of sponsoring the event) is charged for the event, no admission fee (beyond what will cover the reasonable costs of sponsoring the event) is charged for the portion of the event supported by DoD, or DoD support to the event is incidental to the entire event in accordance with public affairs guidance.

b. The head of a DoD Component command or organization may provide, on a limited basis, the use of DoD facilities and equipment (and the services of DoD employees necessary to make proper use of the equipment), as logistical support of a charitable fundraising event sponsored by a non-Federal entity when the head of the DoD Component command or organization determines (1) through (6) of subsection 3-211.a. of this Regulation, above, and the sponsoring non-Federal entity is not affiliated with the CFC (including local CFC) or, if affiliated with the CFC, the Director, OPM, or designee, has no objection to DoD support of the event. OPM has no objection to support of events that do not fundraise on the Federal Government workplace (which is determined by the head of the DoD Component command or organization.)

c. Speeches by DoD employees at events sponsored by non-Federal entities are not precluded when the speech expresses an official DoD position in a public forum in accordance with public affairs guidance.

d. Involvement of DoD resources in air shows sponsored by non-Federal entities is approved or disapproved by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs).

3-212. Relationships Governed by Other Authorities. In addition to the provisions of this Chapter, certain organizations have special relationships with DoD or its employees specifically recognized by law or by other directives. These organizations include See:

g. The Military Department of each State and territory (section 101 of Reference (l)).

SECTION 3. PERSONAL PARTICIPATION IN NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES

3-300. Participation

a. Fundraising and Other Activities. Subject to other provisions of this Regulation, DoD employees may voluntarily participate in activities of non-Federal entities as individuals in their personal capacities, provided they act exclusively outside the scope of their official positions.

(1) Except as provided in 5 CFR 2635.807(b) (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, DoD employees may not use or allow the use of their official titles, positions or organization names in connection with activities performed in their personal capacities as this tends to suggest official endorsement or preferential treatment by DoD of any non-Federal entity involved. Military grade and military department as part of an individual's name (e.g., Captain Smith, U.S. Navy) may be used, the same as other conventional titles such as Mr., Ms., or Honorable, in relationship to personal activities.

(2) Purely personal, unofficial volunteer efforts to support fundraising outside the Federal Government workplace are not prohibited where the efforts do not imply DoD endorsement. The Heads of DoD Component commands or organizations may, on a limited basis, authorize their DoD employees or dependents of those employees to participate in fundraising activities in designated areas on Federal Government installations, such as public entrances, in community support facilities, and in personal quarters. The Head of the DoD Component command or organization has the authority to determine which areas, if any, are considered to be outside the Federal Government workplace. See E.O. 12353 (Reference (n)), 5 C.F.R., Part 950 (Reference (o)), and DoD Directive Instruction 1344.07 (Reference (x)). These activities may be further limited by Federal Government building and grounds regulations.

b. Professional Associations and Learned Societies. Agency Designees may permit excused absences for reasonable periods of time for their DoD employees to voluntarily participate in the activities of non-profit professional associations and learned societies and may permit the limited use by their DoD employees of Federal Government equipment or administrative support services to prepare papers to be presented at such association or society events or to be published in professional journals when:

(1) The participation or paper is related to the DoD employee's official position or to DoD functions, management or mission; and

(2) The Agency can derive some benefit from the participation or preparation, such as expansion of professional expertise by DoD employees or improved public confidence derived from the professional recognition of the DoD employee’s competence;

(3) The participation or preparation of the paper does not interfere with the performance of official DoD duties.

c. Community Support Activities. Agency Designees may permit excused absences for reasonable periods of time for their DoD employees to voluntarily participate in community support activities that promote civic awareness and uncompensated public service such as disaster relief events, blood donations, and voting and registering to vote.

d. Impartiality of Agency Designee and Travel Approving Authority. When a DoD employee requests permission to travel to or participate in activities of a non-Federal entity and the Agency Designee or travel approving authority is an active participant in the non-Federal entity, that Agency Designee or travel approving authority may not act on the DoD employee's request but shall defer such action to the next higher superior or another independent DoD authority. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.402 and 2635.502 (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation and 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (i)).

3-301. Membership and Management. DoD employees may become members and may participate in the management of non-Federal entities as individuals in a personal capacity provided they act exclusively outside the scope of their official position. Except for such service in the organizations listed in subsection 3-210.a. of this Regulation, above, a DoD employee may not serve in a personal capacity as an officer, member of the Board of Directors, or in any other similar position in any non-Federal entity offered because of their DoD assignment or position. DoD employees may authorize an allotment for membership dues to a non-Federal entity as provided in 5 C.F.R. 550.311 and 550.331 (Reference (wy)) and DoD 7000.14-R (Reference (x)).

3-302. Impartiality of DoD Employees. DoD employees are generally prohibited from engaging in any official activities in which a non-Federal entity is a party or has a financial interest if the DoD employee is an active participant in the non-Federal entity or has been an officer in the non-Federal entity within the last year. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.402 and 2635.502 (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation and 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (i)).

3-303. Use of Federal Government Resources

a. Authorized Uses. See subsection 2-301 of this Regulation, above.

b. Prohibited Uses. Because of the potential for significant cost to the Federal Government, and the potential for abuse, DoD employees, such as secretaries, clerks, and military aides, may not be used to support the unofficial activity of another DoD employee in support of non-Federal entities, nor for any other non-Federal purposes, except as provided in subsections 3-211 and 3-300.b. of this Regulation, above.

3-304. Prior Approval of Outside Employment and Business Activities. See 5 C.F.R. 3601.107; and subsection 2-206 of this Regulation above.

a. A copy of the request for prior approval and the written approval shall be kept with the filed copy of the DoD employee's financial disclosure report, SF OGE Form 450 or SFOGE Form 278, Appendix C of this Regulation, or with the local Ethics Counselor.

b. Such DoD employees who have not obtained prior approval and who are, on the effective date of this supplemental rule, already engaged in an outside activity that requires prior approval shall have 90 days from that date to obtain such approval.

c. Except to the extent that when procedures have been established by higher authority for any class of DoD employee (e.g., DoD Directive 6025. 7 13-R, section C4.7. Off-Duty Employment by DoD Healthcare Practitioners (Reference (yaa)), Agency Designees may require DoD employees under their jurisdiction to report any outside employment or activity prior to engaging in the employment or activity.

(1) The commander, head of the organization, or supervisor may prohibit the employment or activity if he believes that the proposed outside activity will detract from readiness or pose a security risk.

(2) If action is not taken to prohibit the employment or activity, the DoD employee is free to engage in the employment or activity in keeping with other restrictions of this Regulation.

3-305. Teaching, Speaking, and Writing

a. Disclaimer for Speeches and Writings Devoted to Agency Matters. A DoD employee who uses or permits the use of his military grade or who includes or permits the inclusion of his title or position as one of several biographical details given to identify himself in connection with teaching, speaking or writing, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2635.807(b)(1) (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, shall make a disclaimer if the subject of the teaching, speaking or writing deals in significant part with any ongoing or announced policy, program or operation of the DoD employee's Agency, as defined in subsection 2-201 of this Regulation, and the DoD employee has not been authorized by appropriate Agency authority to present that material as the Agency's position.

(1) The required disclaimer shall expressly state that the views presented are those of the speaker or author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components.

(2) Where a disclaimer is required for an article, book or other writing, the disclaimer shall be printed in a reasonably prominent position in the writing itself. Where a disclaimer is DoD 5500. 41 07-R Change 7, 11/17/2011 required for a speech or other oral presentation, the disclaimer may be given orally provided it is given at the beginning of the oral presentation.

b. Security Clearance. A lecture, speech, or writing that pertains to military matters, national security issues, or subjects of significant concern to DoD shall be reviewed for clearance by appropriate security and public affairs offices prior to delivery or publication.

c. Honoraria. Compensation for a lecture, speech or writing may be restricted by the honoraria prohibition of 5 U.S.C. App. 501 (Reference (b)) and 5 C.F.R. 2636 (Reference (a)) in subsection 3-100 of this Regulation, above. However, on February 22, 1995, the U.S. Supreme Court decided United States v. National Treasury Employees Union (Reference (bb)), affirming a court of appeals decision enjoining enforcement of the honoraria prohibition against Federal employees below grade GS-16. The ban may still be enforceable against Federal employees in grades GS-16 or above and those paid under other schedules.

SECTION 4. PERSONAL ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS FROM NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES

(Note that Section 591 of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 codifies a new gift authority, 10 U.S.C. 2601a, that revises the following gift authority. This new rule however is not effective until issuance of implementing regulations.)

3-400. Acceptance of Gifts by Injured or Ill Service Members and Their Family Members. Pursuant to the authority at section 8127 of P.L. 109-148, the FY 2006 Defense Appropriations Act (Reference (dd)), and notwithstanding 5 U.S.C. 7353 (Reference (b)), 5 C.F.R. 2635 (Reference (h)), and paragraph 1-300.b., above, covered DoD employees, described at subsection 3-401, below, and the family members of such employees may accept unsolicited gifts from non-Federal entities subject to the following limitations:

a. This authority does not apply to gifts from foreign governments and their agents.

b. This authority does not apply to gifts that

(1) are accepted in return for being influenced in the performance of an official act;

(2) are solicited or coerced; or

(3) are accepted in violation of any other statute, including 18 U.S.C. sections 201(b) and 209 (Reference (i)).

c. For gifts with an aggregate market value in excess of "minimal value," as adjusted by the General Services Administration in accordance with 41 C.F.R. 102-42.10 (concerning gifts from foreign governments) (Reference (ee)), per source per occasion, or with an aggregate market value exceeding $1000 received from any one source under the authority of this subsection in a calendar year, an agency ethics official must make a written determination that:

(1) The gift is not offered in a manner that specifically discriminates among covered DoD employees merely on the basis of type of official responsibility or of favoring those of higher rank or rate of pay;

(2) The donor does not have interests that may be affected substantially by the performance or nonperformance of the covered DoD employee’s official duties; and

(3) Acceptance would not cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question the integrity of DoD's programs or operations. An agency ethics official may issue a blanket determination to cover all or any category of gifts or all or any group of DoD covered employees. This authority is in addition to, and in no way limits, any other statutory or regulatory authority of covered employees and their family members to accept gifts from non-Federal entities.

3-401. Covered DoD Employees. For purposes of this section, covered DoD employees are

a. members of the Armed Forces on active duty, as described at paragraphs 1-211209.b, 1-211209.c, 1-211209.d, and 1-211209.e (except for duties and functions performed under the authority of title 32, United States Code), above, who

b. while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001 incurred an illness or injury, as described below:

(1) as described in 10 U.S.C. 1413a(e)(2) (Reference (f)), which is currently

(a) as a direct result of armed conflict;

(b) while engaged in hazardous service;

(c) in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war; or

(d) through an instrumentality of war; or

(2) in an operation or area designated by the Secretary of Defense as a combat operation or a combat zone. The Secretary designates the following as combat zones under this subparagraph.

(a) any area designated by the President of the United States by Executive Order as an area in which U.S. Armed Forces are engaging or have engaged in combat;

(b) any area designated for treatment as a combat zone by Public Law, including P.L. 104-117 (Reference (ff)); and

(c) any area certified by the Secretary of Defense for combat zone tax benefits for directly supporting military operations in combat zones.

3-403. Acceptance of Gifts by Certain Reserve and National Guard Members. Notwithstanding paragraph 1-300.b., above, enlisted members of the Reserve on inactive duty for training and all members of the National Guard, defined at paragraph 1-211209.e and subsection 1-233228, above, who meet the criteria at subsection 3-401.b., above, and family members of such members, may accept unsolicited gifts from non-Federal entities in accordance with paragraph 3-400, above.

3-404. Retroactivity. This section shall apply to acceptance of such gifts beginning on September 11, 2001.

3-405. Delegation. To the extent not included in current delegations, DoD DAEOs and Deputy DAEOs may delegate authority to make the written determination required by paragraph 3-400.b., above, to any agency ethics official, including such officials outside the DoD Component, located at the duty station of covered DoD employees or having sufficient knowledge of the conditions and circumstances of the covered DoD employees and the offered gifts.

(dd) Section 8127 of Public Law 109-148, "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006," December 30, 2005

(ee) Part 102-42 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations,

(ff) Public Law 104-117, 109 Stat. 827 (1996)

(gg) Executive Order 12353, “Charitable Fund-Raising,” March 23, 1982

CHAPTER 4

TRAVEL BENEFITS

SECTION 1. ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICIAL TRAVEL BENEFITS IN KIND OR PAYMENT FOR OFFICIAL TRAVEL EXPENSES

4-100. Acceptance from Non-Federal Sources

a. Official Travel. Official travel by DoD employees shall be funded by the Federal Government except that DoD Components may accept official travel benefits, including in kind subsistence and accommodations and payments or reimbursements of expenses, from non-Federal sources as provided in this Chapter of this Regulation.

b. Personal Travel. This Chapter does not apply to travel benefits provided to DoD employees in their personal capacities. However, DoD employees must report such travel expenses when appropriate in accordance with Chapter 7 of this Regulation. There may be limitations on acceptance of travel benefits in a personal capacity, including limitations on acceptance from prohibited sources, because of official position, and under 41 U.S.C. 423 (reference (a)).

c. Acceptance Procedures. Any official travel benefits from non-Federal sources accepted by the travel approving authority must be:

(1) Approved in writing by the travel approving authority with the advice of the DoD employee's Ethics Counselor;

(2) If accepted under the authority granted by 31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)), approved in advance of travel.

d. Spousal Travel. The travel approving authorities for travel of a spouse accompanying a DoD employee on official travel that is paid for or provided in kind by a non-Federal source are as follows:

(1) For DoD employees of OSD, Defense Agencies and DoD Field Activities, the Executive Secretary, OSD;

(2) For DoD employees of Military Departments, the Secretaries concerned or their designees;

(3) For DoD employees of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Unified or SpecifiedCombatant Commands, and the Combined Commands and Agencies, the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, or his designee.

4-101. Acceptance of Travel and Related Expenses by a DoD Component From Non-Federal Sources

a. Attendance at a Meeting or Similar Function (31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)))

(1) In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)) and GSA travel regulations, 41 C.F.R. 301-1.2 and 304 (Reference (c)), Heads of DoD Components may accept travel benefits from a non-Federal source incurred by DoD employees in connection with their attendance in an official capacity at a meeting or similar function. For detailed guidance as to the applicability and application of specific authority, these regulations References should be consulted directly.

(2) A DoD Component may not accept or approve acceptance of travel benefits from non-Federal sources under any other gift acceptance authority if 31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)) applies.

(a) When travel benefits are paid for rather than provided in kind, payments from the non-Federal source will be by check or similar instrument made payable to the United States Treasury. Any such payment received by the DoD employee (or spouse) shall be submitted with his travel voucher as soon as practicable.

(b) The DoD employee shall exclude from his travel voucher any request for reimbursement for travel benefits furnished in kind by a non-Federal source on the travel voucher to ensure that appropriate deductions are made in the travel, per diem, or other allowances payable by the United States.

(4) Reporting. Each travel-approving authority designated by the DoD Component Head to accept travel benefits from non-Federal sources shall submit a report to the DoD Component DAEO or designee semiannually on April 30 and October 31 to accommodate the required reporting to OGE on May 31 and November 30 each year.

b. DoD Component Gift Acceptance Statutes. In accordance with procedures established by those DoD Components with gift acceptance authority under 10 U.S.C. 2601 (Reference (f)), travel benefits may be accepted by such DoD Component Heads or their designees.

(1) This authority may not be used to accept travel benefits covered by 31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)).

(2) This authority may be used to accept, for example, reimbursement for travel benefits of flight crew members that accompany Federal Government aircraft to international air shows or the expenses incurred by the attendance of DoD employees at ceremonial events in order to enhance a DoD Component's public relations. This authority may also be used to accept travel benefits offered after travel has begun or has been completed.

c. DoD Component DAEO or Designee Approval. Acceptance of official travel benefits from non-Federal sources described in subsections 4-101.a. and 4-101.b. of this Regulation, above, requires the concurrence of the DoD Component DAEO or designee.

4-102. Acceptance of Contributions, Awards and Other Payments (Reference (g))

a. Applicability. Military members are permitted to accept contributions, awards and other payments the same as civilian DoD employees in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, below.

b. Conditions for Acceptance. Except when acceptance is permitted under 5 C.F.R. 2635.204(d) (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, DoD employees are permitted to accept contributions, awards and other payments directly from non-Federal sources only when all of the following conditions are met (see 5 C.F.R. 410, Subpart E (Reference (j))):

(1) The source is a tax-exempt organization described by 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) (Reference (i)) or a State or local government (see 5 C.F.R. 410, Subpart G (reference (j)));

(2) The contribution, award, or payment of travel benefits is incidental to training in non-Federal Government facilities or attendance at a meeting;

(3) An appropriate deduction is made from any payment by the Federal Government to the DoD employee for their official travel entitlement;

(4) The contribution, award, or payment is not a reward for services to the non-Federal source;

(5) Acceptance of the contribution, award or payment would not reflect unfavorably on the DoD employee's ability to perform his duties in a fair and objective manner, nor otherwise compromise the integrity of any Federal Government action; and

(6) The travel approving authority approves the acceptance of the contribution, award or payment in writing.

c. Payments from Multiple Sources. When more than one organization participates in making a single contribution, award, or payment, only the organization that selects the recipient and administers the funds from which the contribution, award, or payment is made will be considered the source.

d. Reporting. Individuals who are required to file financial disclosure statements must report acceptance of these travel benefits on their financial disclosure statements if the fair market value of those benefits reach the reportable amount.

4-200. Acceptance of Incidental Benefits. There are two basic principles DoD employees must consider in determining whether they may accept benefits offered incident to their official travel. See DoD travel rules (e.g., DoD Directive 4500.09E (Reference (l))).

a. Federal Government Property. Anything that does not fall within a gift exception or exclusion under 5 C.F.R. 2635 Subpart B (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, or subsection 2-202 of this Regulation, which is received by a DoD employee as a result of official travel, belongs to the Federal Government, regardless of the source of the funding.

(1) Travel coupons, tickets, promotional items of more than nominal value, (with the exception of frequent flier mileage credits), and most other benefits received by DoD employees from non-Federal sources (e.g., airlines, rental car companies, hotels) incident to their official travel belong to the Federal Government. They may not be used for personal purposes.

(2) If possible, such benefits will be turned over to the appropriate official. See JTR, Paragraph C1200 (Reference (e)), 41 C.F.R., Part 301 (Reference (c)).

b. Gifts from Outside Sources. Benefits offered to a DoD employee from a non-Federal source incident to official travel that cannot be used for official purposes must be treated as gifts to the DoD employee. DoD employees may not accept such gifts if acceptance would violate 5 C.F.R. 2635 Subpart B (Reference (h)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

SECTION 3. PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4-300. The travel-approving authority shall:

a. Approve or disapprove acceptance of travel benefits in kind or payments of travel expenses from non-Federal sources in accordance with subsections 4-102 and 4-103 of this Regulation, above;

b. Acquire the concurrence of the DoD Component DAEO or designee when approving travel benefits in accordance with the conflict of interest rules;

c. Prepare and submit a report to the DoD Component DAEO or designee reporting all travel benefits over $250 accepted in accordance with the authority granted under 31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)) as implemented in subsection 4-101 of this Regulation above;

d. Prepare and submit a report to the DoD Component DAEO or designee within 30 days after completion of travel during which travel benefits have been paid by non-Federal sources under 5 U.S.C. 4111 (Reference (g)). See subsection 4-102 of this Regulation, above.

4-301. Each DoD Component DAEO or Designee shall:

a. Prepare and submit semiannual reports to OGE on acceptance of payments under 31 U.S.C. 1353 (Reference (b)) due May 31 and November 30 each year. See subsection 4-101.a.(54) of this Regulation, above;

b. Retain reports from the travel approving authority under 5 U.S.C. 4111 (Reference (g)) for two years. See subsection 4-102.c. of this Regulation, above;

c. Provide written concurrence for the approval of travel benefits in accordance with the conflict of interest analysis required by 41 C.F.R. 304-1.5 (reference (c)) rules.

4-302. Each traveling DoD employee shall provide all necessary information to the travel approving authority for a semiannual report to the DoD Component DAEO;

5-301. Applicability to Enlistees and National Guard Members. The provisions of 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference(c)) and related provisions of OGE regulations do not apply to “Title 32 National Guard Members” or enlisted members of the Uniformed Services. However, provisions similar to section 208 of Reference (c) do apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services and “Title 32 National Guard Members” as follows: except as approved by the DoD Component DAEO or designee, a “Title 32 National Guard member” and an enlisted member, including an enlisted special Government employee, shall not participate personally and substantially as part of his official DoD duties, in any particular matter in which he, his spouse, minor child, partner, entity in which he is serving as officer, director, trustee, partner or employee or any entity with which he is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment, has a financial interest.

a. Before a waiver is requested, consideration should first be given to alternative resolutions, such as disqualification, divestiture, reassignment, or rearrangement of duties. Individual waivers are to be considered only when all alternatives have been exhausted. The supervisor should also consider, with the advice of the Ethics Counselor, whether a potential violation of 18 U.S.C. 208(a) (Reference (c)) exists. See subsection 5-303 of this Regulation, below. Even if the interests are insubstantial, consideration should be given to whether the particular matter will have a direct and predictable effect on the financial interest. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.402(b)(1) (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation;

b. A request for a waiver shall be forwarded through the chain of command or supervision to the DoD Component DAEO. The DoD Component DAEO shall consult, if practicable, on the action with OGE;

c. Pending the approval of the waiver, the DoD employee shall be disqualified from participation in the particular matter that will have an effect on the financial interest;

d. The waiver request shall include the Ethics Counselor's findings of fact on the following:

(1) The manner in which the financial interest was acquired;

(2) The purpose behind the DoD employee's acquisition of the interest;

(3) The dollar value of the interest;

(4) The potential amount by which the DoD employee's official actions may affect the financial interest; DoD 5500. 57 07-R Change 7, 11/17/2011

(5) The degree to which the DoD employee has control over official actions which may affect the non-Federal entity;

(6) The size of the non-Federal entity and the degree to which official actions may affect the non-Federal entity;

(7) The value of the financial interest in relation to the DoD employee's net worth and income from other sources;

(8) The degree to which the DoD employee has control over the financial interest, and whether it is capable of being divested.

5-303. Resolution of Conflicts. Resolution of actual or apparent conflicts of interest is the responsibility of the head of the DoD Component command or organization. An Ethics Counselor should be consulted about alternatives for resolution. See Chapter 10 of this Regulation for enforcement information.

SECTION 4. OTHER CONFLICT OF INTEREST LAWS

5-400. Bribery of Public Officials and Witnesses

a. All DoD employees are prohibited from, directly or indirectly, giving, offering, promising, demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, or agreeing to receive anything of value to influence any official act, to influence commission of fraud on the United States, to induce committing or omitting any act in violation of a lawful duty, or to influence testimony given before an individual or non-Federal entity authorized to hear evidence or take testimony. See 18 U.S.C. 201(b) (Reference (c)).

b. DoD employees are also prohibited, except as provided by law for the proper discharge of official duties, from, directly or indirectly, giving, offering, promising, demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, or agreeing to accept anything of value for or because of any official act performed or to be performed, or for or because of any testimony given or to be given before an individual or non-Federal entity authorized to hear evidence or take testimony. See 18 U.S.C. 201(c) (Reference (c)).

c. See 5 U.S.C. 5515 (crediting amounts received for jury or witness service) and 5751 (travel expenses of witnesses) (Reference (k)) and paragraph 66 of Part IV, Manual Courts-Martial (MCM), United States 1984 2008 (Reference (l)).

5-401. Compensation officers and others in matters affecting the Government. OGE interpretation of prohibitions under 18 U.S.C. 203 (Reference (c)) appear in 5 C.F.R. 2635.801(d)(3) (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation. These prohibitions do not apply to enlisted members. A DoD employee whose salary is not tied to the profitability of the non-Federal entity's Federal Government contracts does not violate this statute. See OGE opinions 86 x 9 and 99 x 25 (informal) (Reference (e)). This statute prohibits receiving compensation for any representation, including those where there is no intent to be corrupted or to provide preferential treatment. Representations can be either oral or written.

5-402. Contracts with DoD Employees. Contracts for the procurement of goods and services between the Federal Government and its employees are prohibited unless an exception is authorized, such as when the Federal Government’s needs cannot reasonablyotherwise be met. See FAR 3.601 and 3.602 (Reference (m)).

a. The provisions of 18 U.S.C. 209 (Reference (c)) and related provisions of OGE regulations do not apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services or “Title 32 National Guard members.” However, provisions similar to section 209 of Reference (c) do apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services and “Title 32 National Guard Members” as follows: a “Title 32 National Guard Member” and an enlisted member, except an enlisted special Government employee, shall not receive any salary or supplementation of his Federal Government salary, from any entity other than the Federal Government or as may be contributed out of the treasury of any State, county, or municipality, for his services to the Federal Government.

b. 18 U.S.C. 209 (Reference (c)) prohibits DoD employees from receiving pay or allowances or supplements of pay or benefits from any source other than the United States for the performance of official service or duties unless specifically authorized by law. Note that a task or job that is performed outside normal working hours does not necessarily allow acceptance of payment for performing it. If the undertaking is part of one's official duties, pay for its performance may not be accepted from any source other than the United States regardless of when it was performed.

c. A DoD employee may continue to participate in a bona fide pension, retirement, insurance, bonus, or other employee welfare or benefit plan maintained by his former employer. See 18 U.S.C. 209(b) (Reference (c)).

d. Reserve military officers and certain temporarily commissioned military officers who are ordered to active duty may continue to receive compensation from individuals who furnished compensation to them prior to being ordered to active duty. See 10 U.S.C. 1033 12601 (Reference (l)) and 50 U.S.C. App. 454(f) (Reference (n)).

5-405. Additional Pay or Allowances. DoD employees may not receive additional pay or allowances for disbursement of public money or for the performance of any other service or duty unless specifically authorized by law. See 5 U.S.C. 5536 (Reference (k)).

a. 5 U.S.C. 5536 (Reference (k)) precludes extra pay from the Federal Government for the performance of official duties. Subject to certain limitations, civilian DoD employees may hold two distinctly different Federal Government positions and receive the salaries of both if the duties of each are performed. Absent specific authority, however, military members may not do so because any arrangement by a military member for rendering services to the Federal Government in another position is incompatible with the military member's actual or potential military duties. That a military member may have leisure hours during which no official duty is performed does not alter the result. See 52 Comp. Gen. 471 (Reference (o)) and 22 Comp. Gen. 127, 149 (Reference (p)).

b. 5 U.S.C. 5536 (Reference (k)) applies to enlisted members and precludes enlisted members from supplementing their official salaries from outside sources for performing their official duties.

5-406. Interference with Military Duties. Military officers on active duty (except while on terminal leave) may not accept employment if it requires separation from their organization, branch, or unit, or interferes with the performance of military duties. See 10 U.S.C. 973(a) (Reference (l)).

5-407. Civil Office Prohibition.

a. Except as otherwise authorized by law, a Regular officer of an armed force on the active duty list, a retired Regular officer of an armed force on active duty for more than 2870 days and a Reserve officer of the armed force on active duty for more than 270 days, may not hold or exercise the functions of a civil office in the Government of the United States that:

(1) Is an elective office;

(2) Requires an appointment by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; or

(3) Is a position in the Executive Schedule under sections 5312 through 5317 of title 5 of the United States Code.

b. An officer described in subparagraph (a) may hold or exercise the functions of a civil office of the United States that is not described in subparagraph (a) when assigned or detailed to that office or to perform those functions.

c. Except as otherwise authorized by law, a Regular officer of an armed force on the active duty list may not hold or exercise, by election or appointment, the functions of a civil office in a government of a State (or of any political subdivision of a State).

d. A retired Regular officer on active duty for more than 270 days or a Reserve officer on active duty for more than 270 days may not hold by election or appointment, a civil office in the government of a State (or of any political subdivision of a State) if the holding of such office is prohibited by the laws of that State or the Secretary of Defense determines that the holding of such office interferes with the performance of duties as an officer of that armed force.

e. An officer described in subparagraph (a) may seek and hold nonpartisan civil office on an independent school board that is located exclusively on a military installation.

5-408. Assignment of Reserves for Training

a. Personnel who assign Reserves for training shall not assign them to duties in which they will obtain information that they or their private employers may use to gain unfair advantage over competitors. Reservists must disclose to superiors and assignment personnel information necessary to ensure that no conflict exists between their duty assignment and their private interests.

b. Commanders, or their designees, shall screen Reservists performing training to ensure that no actual or apparent conflict exists between their private interests and their duty assignment. While Reservists have an affirmative obligation under this rule to disclose material facts in this regard, receiving commands cannot assume compliance and shall independently screen incoming personnel to avoid conflicts of interests.

5-409. Commercial Dealings Involving DoD Employees. A DoD employee shall not knowingly solicit or make solicited sales to DoD personnel who are junior in rank, grade or position, or to the family members of such personnel, on or off duty. In the absence of coercion or intimidation, this does not prohibit the sale or lease of a DoD employee's non-commercial personal or real property or commercial sales solicited and made in a retail establishment during off-duty employment. The posting of an advertisement in accordance with Federal Government building management policies does not constitute solicitation for purposes of this subsection.

a. This prohibition includes the solicited sale of insurance, stocks, mutual funds, real estate, cosmetics, household supplies, vitamins, and other goods or services.

b. Both the act of soliciting and the act of selling as a result of soliciting are prohibited. In both cases, however, a solicitation is necessary for a violation to occur. While the standard prohibits a senior DoD official from making a solicited sale to a junior or to the junior's family, sales made because a junior approaches the senior DoD official and requests the sale to be made are not prohibited, absent coercion or intimidation by the senior DoD official.

c. Personal commercial solicitations by the spouse or other household member of a DoD employee to those who are junior in rank, grade, or position to the DoD employee, may give rise to the appearance that the DoD employee himself is using his public office for personal gain. When a spouse or household member of a DoD employee engages in such activity, the supervisor of the DoD employee must consult an Ethics Counselor, and counsel the DoD employee that such activity should be avoided where it may:

(1) Cause actual or perceived partiality or unfairness;

(2) Involve the actual or apparent use of rank or position for personal gain; or (3) Otherwise undermine discipline, morale, or authority.

5-410. Related Rules

a. There is a prohibition on holding conflicting financial interests. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.403 (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (c)), and 5 C.F.R. 2640 (Reference (b)) in subsection 5-200 of this Regulation, above.

b. There are requirements regarding seeking outside employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.601-606 (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation and Chapter 8 of this Regulation.

c. There is a prohibition on engaging in outside employment or activities that conflict with official duties. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.802 (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

d. There are limitations on certain outside activities such as receipt of outside earned income by certain DoD Presidential appointees or non-career DoD employees, service as an expert witness, participation in professional associations, teaching, writing, speaking, or fundraising. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.804-808 (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation. e. There is a prohibition on the receipt of honoraria. See 5 C.F.R., Part 2636 (Reference (q)) in subsection 3-100 of this Regulation.

f. There are prohibitions on the misuse of official position such as improper endorsements or improper use of non-public information. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.701-705 (Reference (d)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

g. There are prohibitions on certain post-Government service employment. See Chapter 9 of this Regulation.

a. The policy governing the political activities of civilian DoD employees is derived from the Hatch Act Amendments, 5 U.S.C. 7321 through 7325 7326 (Reference (b)). Guidance on the application of the Hatch Act Amendments is provided by the Hatch Act Hotline at of the Office of Special Counsel at 1-(800) 854-2824 (see also www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm).

b. Primary enforcement responsibility under the Hatch Act Amendments (Reference (b)) lies with the Office of Special Counsel under 5 U.S.C. 1216(c) (Reference (b)); however, DoD Components have responsibility to investigate allegations of prohibited political activity by excepted service employees of the DoD Component.

c. It is DoD policy to encourage civilian DoD employees and members of the Armed Forces to carry out the obligations of citizenship to the maximum extent possible consistent with the restrictions imposed by law and by this Regulation.

6-202. Military Members. Military members are not covered by the Hatch Act Amendments, 5 U.S.C. 7321 through 7326, (Reference (b)). Political activities of Military members are covered. DoD Directive 1344.10, "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces," February 19, 2008 (Reference (e)).

6-203. Political Recommendations

a. The restrictions of 5 U.S.C. 3303 (Reference (b)) apply to all personnel actions described in 5 U.S.C. 2302(a)(2)(A)(i) through (xi) (Reference (b)) for individuals in or applicants to the following DoD positions:

(1) Competitive service employees;

(2) Career appointees in the Senior Executive Service; and

(3) Excepted service employees other than one who is appointed by the President or whose position has been determined to be of confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.

b. Each personnel action with respect to a DoD employee or applicant, as described in subsection 6-203.a. of this Regulation, above, shall be taken without regard to any recommendation or statement, oral or written, made by the following types of individuals:

(1) Members of Congress or Congressional employees;

(2) Elected officials of any State (including the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico), county, city, or other subdivision thereof;

(3) Officials of political parties; or

(4) Other individuals or organizations making such recommendations or statements on the basis of the party affiliations of the DoD employee or applicant recommended.

c. DoD employees may solicit, accept, and consider any statement with respect to a DoD employee or applicant described in subsection 6-205203.a. of this Regulation, above, if the statement meets one of the following conditions:

(1) It is pursuant to a request or requirement of the DoD Component and consists solely of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, and general qualifications of the DoD employee or applicant;

(2) It relates solely to the character and residence of the DoD employee or applicant;

(3) It is furnished pursuant to a request made by an authorized representative of the Government of the United States solely in order to determine whether the DoD employee or applicant meets suitability or security standards;

(4) It is furnished by a former employer of the DoD employee or applicant pursuant to a request of an agency, and consists solely of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, and general qualifications of such DoD employee or applicant during employment with such former employer; or

(5) It is furnished pursuant to a provision of law or regulation authorizing consideration of such statement with respect to a specific position or category of positions.

d. DoD Component Heads are required by 5 C.F.R. 300.801 (Reference (d)) to ensure that DoD employees and applicants described in subsection 6-205203.a. of this Regulation, above, are notified of the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 3303 (Reference (b)).

SECTION 3. REFERENCES

6-300. References

(a) Part 734 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations

(b) Sections 1216, 2302, 3303 and 7321 through 7325 7326 of title 5, United States Code

a. Covered Positions. For purposes of this section, the following individuals are in "covered positions" and are required by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95-521 (reference (b)) to file an SF 278, Appendix C of this Regulation, with their DoD Component DAEO or designee as set out in subsection 7-205 of this Regulation, below: See 5 C.F.R. 2634, Subpart B.

b. Waiver. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.205.

c. Exception. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.204.

d. Exclusion. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.203 (Reference (a))

7-201. Information on Covered Positions. The directors of DoD Component personnel offices are responsible for providing the following information to their DoD Component DAEOs or designees:

a. The name, position, grade, organization and entrance-on-duty or termination date of each individual assigned to the DoD Component who is required to file a new entrant or termination OGE Form 278, immediately upon the appointment of the individual to a position requiring filing, or upon receipt of an SF 52, "Request for Personnel Action," August 1988, requesting approval of the retirement, resignation, or removal of the individual from such a position;

b. By January 10 of each year, the name, position, grade, and organization of each individual assigned to the DoD Component who is required to file an annual SFOGE Form 278.

7-202. Notification of Requirement to File. Each DoD Component DAEO or designee shall provide appropriate notices and instructions to all reporting individuals to ensure the timely preparation of the reports and submission to supervisors and Ethics Counselors for review and filing. The OGE Form 278, may be accessed through the internet at www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/.

7-203. Time of Filing

a. Nomination Reports

(1) Any time after public announcement but within five days after transmittal by the President to the Senate of the nomination of an individual to a civilian DoD position that requires the advice and consent of the Senate, the DoD Component DAEO shall ensure the nominee's SFOGE Form 278, Appendix C of this Regulation, is filed with appropriate authorities.

(2) The report shall contain the information prescribed in the "Instructions for Completing OGE Form 278" attached to the OGE Form 278. These reports shall be certified by the DoD Component DAEO, and processed as prescribed by OGE regulation, 5 C.F.R. 2634 (Reference (a)) in subsection 7-100 of this Regulation, above. DoD 5500. 74 07-R Change 7, 11/17/2011

(3) Unless otherwise required by the Senate, nomination reports are not required of individuals nominated to positions as military officers. Such individuals must file new entrant reports as prescribed below.

b. New Entrant Reports. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.201(b).

(1) Within 30 days of assuming a covered position, a reporting individual shall submit an SF 278, Appendix C of this Regulation.

(2) The report shall contain the information prescribed for new entrant reports in the "Instructions for Completing SF 278" attached to the SF 278, Appendix C of this Regulation.

(3) No new entrant report is necessary if the reporting individual has, within 30 days prior to assuming a new position, left another covered position for which the reporting individual filed an SF 278, Appendix C of this Regulation.

(4) Reserve military officers shall file a new entrant report within 30 15 days after the 61st day of serving on active duty during any calendar year (see 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(1) and 32 U.S.C. 101(12) (References (b) and (c))) for the first time in the grade of 0-7.

c. Annual Reports. Any time after January 1 but not later than May 15, a reporting individual who served in a covered position for more than 60 days during the preceding calendar year shall file an annual SFOGE Form 278, Appendix C of this Regulation. For Reserve military officers, only service pursuant to orders issued under title 10, United States Code, is counted.

d. Termination Reports. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.201(e). A termination report is not required of a Reserve military officer in the grade of O-7 or above who did not serve more than 60 days on active duty during the calendar year in which the military officer is transferred to the Retired Reserve.

e. Extension of Filing Deadlines. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.201(f) and 5 U.S.C. App. 4, section 101(g)(2)(A)(filers assigned to combat zones receive automatic extension to file). The DoD Component DAEO, in the case of civilian Presidential appointees, and the DoD Component DAEO or designee in other cases, may grant, for good cause, a filing extension. The requests shall contain a clear statement of the reasons for the request and shall be submitted in advance of the original filing deadline. The reporting individual shall notify his supervisor of any extension granted.

f. Combined Annual and Termination Reports. Reporting individuals who anticipate terminating their DoD employment before June 30 may request an extension from the appropriate DoD Component DAEO or designee of up to 45 days in order to file one consolidated annual and termination report. Combined annual and termination reports must be filed within 30 days after termination of employment or service but not later than July 15.

b. Any other reporting individual shall submit his OGE Form 278, through his supervisor and through his Ethics Counselor to the DoD Component DAEO or designee. In some cases, the Ethics Counselor and the DoD Component DAEO or designee is the same person;

(1) A military officer serving in a DoD Component or in the Central Intelligence Agency shall submit his report through his supervisor directly with the DAEOs or designees of those agencies;

(2) A military officer serving in OSD or for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Joint Staff, shall submit his report, through his supervisor, to the GC, DoD, as the DoD Component DAEO;

(3) A military officer serving in a joint, Unified, Specified or Combined Combatant Commands, other than a Combatant Commander in Chief, shall file through his supervisor directly with his DoD Component DAEO or designee. A Combatant Commander in Chief of such command shall file with the Legal Advisor Combatant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

c. A reporting individual who has more than one immediate supervisor shall submit his report through both supervisors prior to submitting it to the DoD Component DAEO or designee. Such a reporting individual may submit a copy of his report to one supervisor and the original to the other in order to expedite processing;

d. Reporting individuals on detail to other Executive or Legislative Branch Agencies shall follow the filing requirements and procedures of those agencies.

7-206. Review

a. Initial Supervisor Review. Upon receipt of an OGE Form 278, the supervisor of the reporting individual shall review the report to determine if any of the reported financial interests reveal a conflict of interest with the reporting individual's current and future official duties. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.605(b) (Reference (a)) in subsection 7-100 of this Regulation, above. The supervisor shall supplement the report with any required information or data, including comments on the existence of actual or apparent conflicts of interest, and forward the report with all attachments to the Ethics Counselor. If any review reveals a conflict or apparent conflict, the supervisor shall ensure that the matter is resolved in accordance with subsection 7-206.b.(7) of this Regulation, below. No supervisory review is required for termination reports or reports filed by Presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate.

b; Ethics Counselor Review.

(1) To ensure that there are no omissions, the previous report of each reporting individual, if applicable, shall be compared to the current submission. The Ethics Counselor shall submit termination reports directly to the DoD Component DAEO, or designee.

(2) If the Ethics Counselor believes that additional information is required, the reporting individual shall be notified of the additional information required and the date by which it must be submitted. The reporting individual shall submit the required information directly to the Ethics Counselor.

(a) When the Ethics Counselor amends or revises a report based on additional information obtained from the reporting individual, he shall initial the amendment or revision and make a note of the source of the information in the comment section of the report. For example, if the Ethics Counselor adds to a report that a certain fund is an excepted investment fund based on a telephone conversation with the reporting individual, he shall number and initial the change on Schedule A and add a notation in the comment section of the report, such as "1. per telecom with Mr. Doe on June 16, 1992" and initial the comment.

(b) When a substantial amount of information is missing from the report, it shall be returned to the supervisor for evaluation in accordance with the standards set forth in subsection 7-206.b.(1) of this Regulation, above, with instructions to return it to the Ethics Counselor with any additional comments or supplementary information.

(4) If the Ethics Counselor agrees with the supervisor's evaluation that no item violates, or appears to violate, applicable laws or regulations, then:

(a) The Ethics Counselor shall annotate the report or attach an endorsement stating that no conflicts of interest under applicable laws or regulations exist, and forward it to the appropriate DoD Component DAEO or designee; and

(b) If there are financial interests in non-Federal entities doing or seeking business with DoD reported on the SFOGE Form 278, the Ethics Counselor may issue a memorandum of caution to the reporting individual and forward a copy of the memorandum with the SFOGE Form 278 to the appropriate DoD Component DAEO or designee.

(5) If the Ethics Counselor disagrees with the supervisor's evaluation, and concludes that the report does not comply with applicable laws and regulations, he shall do the following:

(a) Notify the reporting individual in writing of the preliminary determination;

(b) Afford the reporting individual a reasonable opportunity for an oral or written response; and

(c) Determine, after considering any response, whether or not the reporting individual is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If the Ethics Counselor concludes that the report does fulfill the requirements, he shall annotate the report or attach an endorsement stating that no conflicts of interest under applicable laws or regulations exist and dispose of the report in accordance with subsection 7-206.b.(4) of this Regulation, above. If the Ethics Counselor determines that it does not, he shall:

1. Notify the reporting individual of the conclusion;

2. Afford the reporting individual an opportunity for personal consultation, if practicable;

3. Determine what remedial action should be taken to bring the reporting individual into compliance;

4. Notify the reporting individual, in writing, of the remedial action required, indicating a date by which that action must be taken; and

5. Ensure that the supervisor of the reporting individual is notified of the required remedial action and date by which that action must be taken.

(6) Except in unusual situations, which must be documented fully to the satisfaction of the Ethics Counselor, remedial action shall be completed within three months from the date the reporting individual was notified that the action is required.

(8) When the Ethics Counselor determines that a reporting individual has complied fully with the remedial measures, a notation to that effect shall be made in the comment section of the OGE Form 278. The Ethics Counselor shall then follow the procedures set forth in subsection 7-206.b.(4) of this Regulation, above.

(9) If steps ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations are not taken by the date established, the Ethics Counselor shall report the matter to the Agency Designee for appropriate action, with an information copy to the DoD Component DAEO.

c. DoD Component DAEO Review

(1) The DoD Component DAEO or designee shall review the report in accordance with the standards set forth in subsections 7-206.b.(1) and 7-206.b.(2) of this Regulation, above.

(2) Additional information required by the DoD Component DAEO or designee shall be collected in accordance with subsection 7-206.b.(3) of this Regulation, above.

(3) The DoD Component DAEO or designee shall notify the reporting individual of any necessary remedial action in accordance with procedures set forth in subsection 7-206.b.(5) of this Regulation, above.

(4) When the DoD Component DAEO or designee determines that no item violates, or appears to violate, any applicable law or regulation, or when the DoD Component DAEO or designee determines that a reporting individual has complied fully with the remedial measures, the DoD Component DAEO or designee shall sign and date the report.

(5) If steps ensuring compliance with applicable laws or regulations are not taken by the date established, the DoD Component DAEO or designee shall report the matter to the Head of the DoD Component for remedial action, with an information copy to the Director, OGE.

(6) If the DoD Component DAEO or designee concludes that no item violates, or appears to violate, any applicable law or regulation, but that there are financial interests in non-Federal entities doing or seeking business with DoD, then the DoD Component DAEO or designee may issue a memorandum of caution to the reporting individual.

(7) All reports shall be reviewed within 60 days after the date of filing. The DoD Component DAEO or designee shall record the date of the review and ensure that all reports are reviewed within the 60 day period. After review, the DoD Component DAEO or designee may proceed to obtain additional information, seek remedial action, or sign and date the report. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.605(b)(6)(ii).

d. Special Reviewing Requirements of O-9 and O-10 Flag and General Officer Nominees

(1) As part of the process for approving nominees for appointment to O-9 and O-10 Flag or General officer positions, the Secretaries of the Military Departments shall ensure that the nominee has a current SFOGE Form 278, Appendix C of this Regulation, on file and that the report has been reviewed by the appropriate DoD Component DAEO or designee in relation to the position for which he is being considered.

(2) Secretaries of Military Departments shall cause a review of all relevant systems of records maintained by their departments, including investigative files, to determine if there is any evidence that the nominee has violated the rules or standards of conduct.

(3) Each nomination forwarded to the Secretary of Defense shall be accompanied by a certification by the Secretary of the Military Department concerned that the required review has been conducted and has or has not disclosed a violation of the rules or standards of conduct.

7-207. Disposition a. Designation of Certifying Official. Only the Head of the DoD Component or the DoD Component DAEO may certify nomination reports required to be filed by a reporting individual who is nominated by the President to a position requiring the advice and consent of the Senate. For all other reports, the DoD Component DAEO may delegate this responsibility to other officials within the DoD Component.

b. Disposition. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.604. For filers who are military members in joint, Unified Combatant Commands, the original OGE Form 278, shall be forwarded for retention to the DAEO or designee of the Military Department concerned.

7-208. Public Availability of Reports. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.603.

7-209. Penalties.

a. Action within a DoD Component. The Head of the DoD Component may take appropriate action, including adverse action, in accordance with applicable laws or regulations, against any reporting individual who fails to file an OGE Form 278, or who falsifies or fails to report required information.

b. Action by the U.S. Attorney General. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.701 and 702. Knowing and willful falsification of information required to be filed may also result in criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. 216 and 1001 (Reference (d f)), leading to a fine or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both.

c. Misuse of Reports. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.703. The U.S. Attorney General may bring a civil action against an individual who obtains or uses an OGE Form 278, filed under Pub. L. 95-521 (Reference (d)).

SECTION 3. CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (SF OGE Form 450)

7-300. Individuals Required to File

a. Covered Positions. For purposes of this section, unless required to file an OGE Form 278, or unless expressly exempted, the following individuals are in "covered positions" and are required by 5 C.F.R. 2634 (Reference (a)) in subsection 7-100 of this Regulation, above, to file initial and annual OGE Form 450, through their supervisor to their Ethics Counselor as set out in subsection 7-305 of this Regulation, below:

(e) Individuals in the motion picture or television fields who are utilized only as narrators or actors in DoD productions;

(f) Reservists on active duty for less than 30 consecutive days during a calendar year; and

(g) Members of selection panels for ROTC candidates.

(3) DoD employees classified at GS/GM-15 or below under 5 U.S.C. 5332 (Reference (c e)) or a comparable pay level under other authority, including individuals serving on detail under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (Reference (e)), and members of the military below the grade of O-7 as follows:

(a) When the official responsibilities of such DoD employees require them to participate personally and substantially through decision or exercise of significant judgment, and without substantial supervision and review, in taking an official action for contracting or procurement, administering or monitoring grants, subsidies, licenses or other Federally conferred financial or operational benefits, regulating or auditing any non-Federal entity, or other activities in which the final decision or action may have a direct and substantial economic impact on the interests of any non-Federal entity;

(b) Any DoD employees serving in a position in which his supervisor determines that the duties and responsibilities of the position require the DoD employee to file such a report to avoid an actual or apparent conflict of interest and to carry out the purpose of any statute, Executive Order, or regulation applicable to or administered by that reporting individual;

(4) Individuals who are detailed to positions described in subsection 7-300.a.(3) of this Regulation, above.

b. Exclusion

(1) DoD employees who are not employed in contracting or procurement positions and who have decision-making responsibilities regarding expenditures of less than $2,500 per purchase and less than $20,000 cumulatively per year are excluded from the requirement to file the OGE Form 450 (formerly SF 450), Appendix C of this Regulation. However, Agency Designees may require such DoD employees, in individual cases, to file the OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation. Such DoD employees remain subject to conflict of interest statutes and regulations.

(2) The use of OGE Optional Form (OF) 450-A, “Confidential Certificate of No New Interests,” Appendix C of this Regulation, is adequate to prevent possible conflicts of interest. DoD employees who are eligible to file OGE OF 450-A under 5 CFR 2634.905(d) (Reference (a)) in subsection 7-100, above, may be excluded from filing the OGE Form 450, , subject to the following conditions:

(a) With the exception of filing OGE OF 450-A, instead of filing OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation, all other applicable requirements of Chapter 7 of this Regulation must be observed.

(b) The reporting individual must attach a copy of his or her most recent OGE Form 450, to the OGE OF 450-A, Appendix C of this Regulation.

(c) The OGE OF 450-A,, with an attached copy of the reporting individual's most recent OGE Form 450, must be reviewed and signed by the reporting individual's supervisor and forwarded to the local Ethics Counselor.

(d) In each year divisible by four, beginning in the year 2000, all incumbent filers must file an OGE Form 450, rather than the OGE OF 450-A.

7-301. Information on Covered Positions.

a. The directors of personnel offices are responsible for providing the following information to their DoD Component DAEOs or designees they service:

(1) Immediately upon the appointment of covered DoD employees, the name, position, organization and entrance-on-duty date of DoD employees required by their supervisor to file a new entrant SF OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation;

(2) By October 3 of each year, a list of the names, positions and organizations, when applicable, of DoD employees who are required to file an annual SF OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation.

b. Coordination is required as follows:

(1) Administrative Officers (or equivalent) of each organization shall coordinate with the supervisors within their organization, in consultation with the DoD Component DAEO or designee, to update the list of annual reporting individuals in their organization and report any additions or deletions to the concerned Ethics Counselor by October 31 of each year. In addition, it is the Administrative Officers' responsibility to ensure that any new positions are evaluated to determine whether such reports are required; or

(2) The directors of personnel offices shall coordinate with Ethics Counselors and supervisors to ensure that position or billet descriptions of reporting individuals described in subsection 7-300 of this Regulation, above, contain a statement that an SF OGE Form 450, must be filed. All new or revised position or billet descriptions shall be reviewed to determine whether such reports are required.

7-302. Notification of Requirement to File. DoD Component DAEOs or designees shall provide appropriate notices and instructions to ensure the timely preparation of the reports and submission to their supervisors and their Ethics Counselors for review and filing. The OGE Form 450, may be accessed through the internet at www.dod.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/.

7-303. Time of Filing

a. New Entrant Reports

(1) Except for a special Government employee, a reporting individual shall submit an OGE Form 450, with information current as of the filing date for the preceding 12 months, through his supervisor to his Ethics Counselor not later than 30 days after assuming duties in a covered position. Upon transfer or reassignment from one covered position to another, a reporting individual shall submit a copy of his previous report to the appropriate supervisor of the new position.

(2) A special Government employee shall submit an SF OGE Form 450, with information current as of the filing date for the preceding 12 months, through his supervisor to his Ethics Counselor before assuming duties in a covered position. A special Government employee whose appointment is renewed shall file a new entrant report for the preceding 12 months prior to his reappointment. A special Government employee whose appointment exceeds one year shall file a new entrant report on the anniversary of his appointment.

b. Annual Reports. A reporting individual (except a special Government employee) who was employed at least 61 days during the preceding reporting period must submit an SF OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation, to his Ethics Counselor by November 30 February 15 of each year covering the preceding 12 months calendar year (or any portion thereof not covered by a new entrant report), with information current as of September 30 December 31 of that the preceding year. A reporting individual who is reassigned or transferred from one covered position to another during the reporting period shall file an annual report whether or not he was employed in that new position for 61 days.

c. Extension of Filing Deadline. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.903(d).

(1) When required by reason of duty assignment, infirmity, or other good cause affecting a reporting individual, the DoD Component DAEO or designee may grant an extension of the filing deadline, not to exceed 60 days for annual reports or 90 days for new entrant reports.

(2) Requests for extensions shall be submitted in writing.

(3) Each automatic extension shall need not be annotated on an individual report. Any other extension shall be noted.

(4) There is a 90 day extension, from the date of return to a permanent duty station, for personnel away from permanent duty station following a Presidential declaration of a national emergency. See 5 C.F.R. § 2634.903(d)(2).

7-304. Content of Report

a. Instructions for completing the OGE Form 450, are included on the report. See instructions at 5 C.F.R. 2634.907 and 908 (Reference (a)) for additional guidance or contact the local Ethics Counselor.

b. A reporting individual shall request required information known only to another person to be submitted by that person to appropriate reviewing authorities. Such a submission may be made with a request for confidentiality which shall be honored by DoD reviewing authorities when appropriate, even if it limits disclosure to the reporting individual.

7-305. Chain of Submission. A reporting individual shall submit this OGE Form 450, through his supervisor to his Ethics Counselor. It is the responsibility of the reporting individual to ensure that his or her report is timely filed.

7-306. Review

a. Upon receipt of an OGE Form 450, the supervisor of the reporting individual shall provide an initial review of the report using the criteria set forth in subsection 7-306.b. of this Regulation, below, and forward it with any comments to the local Ethics Counselor for further review.

b. The Ethics Counselor shall review each report to determine that:

(1) Each item is completed; and

(2) No interest or position disclosed on the report violates or appears to violate:

(a) Any applicable provision of Chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code (Reference (d f));

(b) Pub. L. 95-521 (Reference (b d)), and implementing regulations;

(c) E.O. 12674 (Reference (e g)) in subsection 12-100 of this Regulation, and implementing regulations; or

(d) Any other related laws or regulations applicable to DoD employees of the Agency.

c. The Ethics Counselor shall not sign and date the report until the determinations described in subsection 7-306.b. of this Regulation, above, are made. The reports are to be taken at "face value" unless there is a patent omission or ambiguity or the official has independent knowledge of matters outside the report.

d. If the Ethics Counselor believes that additional information is required, the reporting individual shall be notified of the additional information required and the date by which it must be submitted. The reporting individual shall submit the required information directly to the Ethics Counselor.

(1) When the Ethics Counselor amends or revises a report based on additional information obtained from the reporting individual, he shall initial the amendment or revision and make a note of the source of the information in the comment section of the report. For example, if the Ethics Counselor adds to a report that a certain fund is an excepted investment fund based on a telephone conversation with the reporting individual, he shall number and initial the change on Schedule A and add a notation in the comment section of the report such as, "1. per telecom with Mr. Doe on June 16, 1992" and initial the comment.

(2) When a substantial amount of information is missing from the report, it shall be returned to the supervisor for his evaluation in accordance with the standards set forth in subsection 7-306.b. of this Regulation, above, with instructions to return it to the Ethics Counselor with any additional comments or supplementary information.

e. If the Ethics Counselor agrees with the supervisor's evaluation that no item violates, or appears to violate, applicable laws or regulations, then the Ethics Counselor shall sign and date the report.

f. If the Ethics Counselor agrees with the supervisor's evaluation that no item violates, or appears to violate, applicable laws or regulations, but that there are financial interests in non-Federal entities doing or seeking business with DoD, then the Ethics Counselor may issue a memorandum of caution to the reporting individual and shall sign and date the report.

g. If the Ethics Counselor disagrees with the supervisor's evaluation that no item violates or appears to violate applicable laws or regulations, then the Ethics Counselor shall do the following:

(1) Notify the reporting individual, in writing, of the preliminary determination;

(2) Afford the reporting individual a reasonable opportunity for an oral or written response; and

(3) Determine, after considering any response, whether or not the reporting individual is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If the Ethics Counselor concludes that the report does fulfill the requirements, he shall sign and date the report. If the Ethics Counselor determines that it does not, he shall:

(a) Notify the reporting individual of the conclusion;

(b) Afford the reporting individual an opportunity for personal consultation, if practicable;

(c) Determine what remedial action should be taken to bring the reporting individual into compliance; and

(d) Notify the reporting individual, in writing, of the remedial action required, indicating a date by which that action must be taken;

(e) Ensure that the supervisor of the reporting individual is notified of the required remedial action and date by which that action must be taken.

h. Except in unusual situations, which must be documented fully to the satisfaction of the Ethics Counselor, remedial action shall be completed within 90 days from the date the reporting individual was notified that the action is required.

i. Remedial steps, in accordance with 5 C.F.R. 2634.605 et seq. (Reference (a)), may include the following measures:

(1) Divestiture. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.1001 et seq.:

(2) Disqualification in accordance with subsection 2-204 of this Regulation;

j. When the Ethics Counselor determines that a reporting individual has complied fully with the remedial measures, a notation to that effect shall be made on the OGE Form 450. The Ethics Counselor shall then sign and date the SF OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation, and dispose of it in accordance with subsection 7-307 of this Regulation, below.

k. If steps ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations are not taken by the date established, the Ethics Counselor shall report the matter to the Agency Designee for appropriate action, with an information copy to the DoD Component DAEO.

l. All reports shall be reviewed within 60 days after the date of filing and the Ethics Counselor shall record the date of the initial review. After the initial review, the Ethics Counselor shall obtain additional information, as necessary, seek remedial action, or sign and date the report.

7-307. Disposition See 5 C.F.R. 2634.909.

7-308. Privacy Act. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.901(d).

7-309. Status Reports

a. Not later than December 15 of each year, Ethics Counselors shall prepare a consolidated status report concerning the annual filing of the SF OGE Form 450, Appendix C of this Regulation. The status report shall be sent through the head of the DoD Component command or organization to the respective DoD Component DAEO or designee and shall contain the following information:

(1) The number of individuals required to file an annual OGE Form 450; and

(2) The number of individuals who have not filed an OGE Form 450 as of November 30.

b. Subsequent to December 15, monthly reports may be required by the DoD Component DAEO to be filed for those organizations which have not received an OGE Form 450, from all reporting individuals required to file, until 100% compliance has been achieved. These monthly reports shall be forwarded as described in subsection 7-309.a., above.

7-310. Penalties. See 5 C.F.R. 2634.909; see 7-209.

SECTION 4. REFERENCES

7-400. References

(a) Part 2634 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations,

(b) Section 101 of title 10, United States Code

(c) Section 101 of title 32 United States Code

(d) Public Law 95-521, "Ethics in Government Act of 1979," October 26, 1978, as amended

(e) Sections 552, 552a, 3371-3376, and 5332 of Titletitle 5, United States Code

(g) Executive Order 12674, "Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees," April 12, 1989, as amended

CHAPTER 8

SEEKING OTHER EMPLOYMENT

SECTION 1. GENERAL RULES

8-100. Office of Government Ethics Regulation. 5 C.F.R. 2635, Subpart F (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, provides rules on seeking other employment that apply to all DoD employees.

SECTION 2. CONFLICT OF INTEREST - (18 U.S.C. 208) (Reference (b))

8-200. Negotiating for Employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2635.603 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation for provisions on conflicts of interest in employment negotiations under 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (b)). The provisions of 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (b)) and related provisions of OGE regulations do not apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services or “Title 32 National Guard Members.” However, provisions similar to section 208 of Reference (b) do apply to enlisted members of the Uniformed Services and “Title 32 National Guard Members,” as follows: except as approved by the DoD Component DAEO, or designee, a “Title 32 National Guard Member” and an enlisted member, including an enlisted special Government employee, shall not participate personally and substantially as part of his official DoD duties, in any particular matter in which he, his spouse, minor child, partner, entity in which he is serving as officer, director, trustee, partner or employee or any entity with which he is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning prospective employment, has a financial interest. See 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (b)), subsections 1-300(b)(1)(a) and 5-301 of this Regulation, and 5 C.F.R. 2635.603 (Reference (a)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

8-201. Penalties. Violation of 18 U.S.C. 208 (Reference (b)) is punishable by a fine and imprisonment. The full range of administrative sanctions may also be imposed.

8-400. Annual Certification. DoD employees who file the Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) shall certify annually that they are aware of the disqualification and employment restrictions of 18 U.S.C. 207 and 208, and 41 U.S.C. 2103-2107 (References (b) and (c)), and that they have not violated those restrictions.

SECTION 5. DoD GUIDANCE

8-500. Appearances. DoD employees shall:

a. Ensure that the prospect of employment does not affect the performance or non-performance of their official duties;

b. Ensure that they do not communicate inside information to a prospective employer; and

c. Avoid any activity that would affect the public's confidence in the integrity of the Federal Government, even if it is not an actual violation of the law.

8-501. Written Guidance. DoD employees may obtain counseling and written advice concerning restrictions on seeking other employment from their Ethics Counselor:

a. Although the counseling and advice are given by DoD attorneys and involve the interpretation of law and regulation and rendering of legal opinion, no attorney-client or other confidential relationship is created. Communications made to an Ethics Counselor in seeking such advice are not privileged.

b. This counseling and advice is personal to the current or former DoD employee. It does not extend to the individual's business, employer, or prospective employer.

[5 C.F.R. 2641 (Reference (b)) applies to DoD employees who left Federal Government service on or after January 1, 1991]

SECTION 3. DoD GUIDANCE ON 18 U.S.C. 207 (Reference (c))

9-300. Exceptions to Restrictions of 18 U.S.C. 207 (Reference (c)). The restrictions imposed by 18 U.S.C. 207(a), (c) and (d) (Reference (c)) do not apply to communications made solely to furnish scientific and technical information that are authorized by the Head of the DoD Component.

a. To obtain such an authorization in the case of former DoD employees:

(1) The head of the DoD Component command or organization involved shall submit, in writing, to the Head of the DoD Component a request that the former DoD employee be permitted to participate in a particular matter from which he would ordinarily be barred under 18 U.S.C. 207 (Reference (c));

(2) The Head of the DoD Component or designee may determine in writing that such participation is appropriate if:

(a) The former DoD employee has outstanding scientific or technological qualifications;

(b) The national interest of the United States would be served by such participation;

(c) The former DoD employee has qualifications that are otherwise unavailable; and

(d) The Head of the DoD Component or designee has consulted with the DoD Component DAEO. b. In cases involving former Federal Government employees other than former DoD employees, authorization may be obtained in accordance with procedures in 18 U.S.C. 207(j)(5) (Reference (c)).

SECTION 4. POST-EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING AND ADVICE

9-400. Written Advice. Current and former DoD employees may obtain counseling and written advice concerning post-employment restrictions from the Ethics Counselor of the DoD Component command or organization from which they are leaving, or have left, Federal Government service. Certain current and former DoD employees are, by law, entitled required to request written advice from the DoD Component DAEO or designee under section 847 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-181, implemented at DFAR 203.171-3 (Reference (e r)). See subsections 9-600.b. of this Regulation, below.

a. Although ethics counseling and advice are given by DoD attorneys and involve interpretation of law and regulation and rendering of legal opinion, no attorney-client or other confidential relationship is created. Communications made to an Ethics Counselor in seeking such advice are not privileged.

b. Ethics counseling and advice are personal to the current or former DoD employee. They do not extend to anyone else, including his business, employer, or prospective employer.

9-501401. Delegation of Authority. The DoD Component DAEO may specifically delegate authority in writing for Ethics Counselors within the DoD Component to provide written advice under the requirements of 9-500 (Reference (er)). In any case where the local Ethics Counselor does not have the authority by written delegation, he shall provide the counseling and obtain the request for advice and necessary supporting information from the DoD employee and forward it to the DoD Component DAEO or designee who has been specifically delegated the authority in writing to issue the written advice.

9-402. Guidance for Departing DoD Employees: DoD Components shall provide guidance on relevant Federal and DoD post-Government service employment restrictions, as part of out-processing procedures, to DoD employees who are leaving Federal service.

(2) Ethics Counselors who have not been delegated specific authority in writing to issue 41 U.S.C. 423 2103-2107 (Reference (e)) written opinions shall promptly forward the request to the DoD Component DAEO or designee who has such authority.

SECTION 6. RESTRICTIONS ON RETIRED MILITARY MEMBERS

9-600. Restrictions on Federal Government Employment. Post-Military Service Employment in DoD under 5 U.S.C. 3326.

See DoD Instruction 1402.01 (Reference (i)). To avoid appearances of favoritism or preferential treatment, retired military members may not be selected to fill civil service positions in DoD (including non-appropriated fund instrumentalities) within 180 days following retirement unless:

a. The appointment is authorized by the Secretary of a Military Department or designee, or by OPM if the position is in the competitive service;

b. The minimum rate of basic pay for the position has been increased under 5 U.S.C. 5305 (Reference (g)); or

c. A state of national emergency exists.

9-601. Foreign Employment Restrictions

a. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8, of the Constitution of the United States (Reference (j)), prohibits any person holding any office of profit or trust under the Federal Government from accepting any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever from any king, prince, or foreign state without the consent of Congress.

(1) This provision prohibits employment of all retired military members, both officer and enlisted and both Regular and Reserve, by a foreign government unless Congressional consent is first granted. See 44 Comp. Gen. 130 (Reference (k)).

(2) Employment by educational or commercial institutions owned, operated, or controlled by a foreign government is included within the scope of this restriction.

(3) The penalty for violation is withholding the retired military member's retired pay in an amount equal to the foreign salary illegally received. See 61 Comp. Gen. 306 (Reference (l)).

b. Congress has consented to the acceptance of civil employment with a foreign government by, among others, retired Regular military members and Reserve military members, if both the Secretary of the Military Department and the Secretary of State approve the employment. See 37 U.S.C. 908 (Reference (m)). Because approval is prospective only, foreign civil employment should not be accepted until approval has been obtained. Retired military members who wish to accept such employment should submit a written request for approval to the Secretary of their Military Department through appropriate channels. The request must fully describe the contemplated employment and the nature and extent of the involvement with the foreign government.

c. A former military member desiring employment with a foreign government or any foreign business interest may be required to register as an agent of a foreign principal under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, 22 U.S.C. 611 et. seq. (Reference (n)). Any person who acts as an agent of a foreign principal must file a registration statement with the U.S. Attorney General.

SECTION 7 RESTRICTIONS ON FORMER SENIOR POLITICAL APPOINTEES

9-700. Executive Order 13940. E.O. 13940 (Reference (o)), in subsection 12-200 of this Regulation, imposes other contractual ethics commitments from political appointees, except for those appointed as members of the senior foreign service or solely as uniformed service commissioned officers. See E.O. 12834 13940 (Reference (o)) in subsection 12-200 of this Regulation.

SECTION 8. RESTRICTIONS ON DEALING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER DoD EMPLOYEES

9-800. General Rule. Current DoD employees shall not knowingly deal, on behalf of the Federal Government, with current or former DoD employees whose participation in the transaction violates any statute or DoD directive, regulation or policy.

9-801. Terminal Leave

a. Military members on terminal leave may accept civilian employment with the Federal Government and are entitled to the pay of that civilian position in addition to the pay and allowances to which entitled while on terminal leave. See 5 U.S.C. 5534a (Reference (g)).

b. A military officer on active duty may not accept a civil office with a State or local government, nor may he perform the duties of such an office. See 10 U.S.C. 973(b)(3) (Reference (p)). This applies while the military officer is on terminal leave. See 56 Comp. Gen. 855 (Reference (q)).

SECTION 109. REFERENCES

9-900. References

(a) Part 2637 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations

(b) Part 2641 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations

(c) Sections 207, 281, and 1001 title 18, United States Code

(d) [Deleted]

(e) Section 2103-2107 of title 41, United States Code

(f) Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 3.104, current edition

(g) Sections 3326, 5305, and 5534 of title 5, United States Code

(h) Part 553 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations

(i) DoD 1402.01, "Employment of Retired Members of the Armed Forces" September 9, 2007

SECTION1. ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT ETHICS REGULATION

10-100. Penalties

a. Penalties for violation of the rules republished in, and prescribed by, this Regulation include applicable criminal, civil and administrative sanctions for current DoD employees, including punishment under the Federal UCMJ (Reference (a)) for military members subject to the Federal UCMJ. Many of the statutes that regulate the post-Government service Federal employment activities of former or retired DoD employees also provide for specific criminal and administrative sanctions. This Chapter sets out the requirements for reporting and inquiry to ensure that ethics-related laws and regulations are properly enforced and that appropriate administrative or disciplinary action is taken.

b. For National Guard Members who are subject to this Regulation, but are not subject to the Federal UCMJ or other Federal statutes, regulations, or directives, the method of enforcement for this Regulation is the applicable State code of military justice or other applicable State statutes or regulations.

SECTION 2. REPORTING PROCEDURES

10-200. Reporting Suspected Violations. With the exception of the provisions of 41 U.S.C. 2103-2107 (Reference (b)) that are addressed in subsection 10-202 of this Regulation, below, DoD employees who suspect that a violation of this Regulation has occurred shall report the matter to any of the following:

a. The DoD employee's Agency Designee;

b. The suspected violator's Agency Designee;

c. The head of the DoD Component command or organization;

d. Any Ethics Counselor;

e. The DoD Component's IG;

f. The DoD Component's criminal investigative office; or

g. The DoD hotline or DoD Component hotline.

10-201. Receipt of Report

a. DoD Component investigative offices shall consult local Ethics Counselors as appropriate to ensure that up-to-date expertise is applied in the investigation of each suspected violation of this Regulation in recognition of rapidly changing rules and statutes in the ethics area.

b. If a suspected violation is reported to some entity other than those named in 10-200.d. through g. of this Regulation, above, then the notified person shall promptly report the matter to his Ethics Counselor.

c. An Ethics Counselor who receives a report shall review the facts and, if the facts tend to support a violation, report the allegation to the appropriate investigative organization or, through the chain of command or supervision, to the head of the DoD Component command or organization of the suspected violator. In addition, the Ethics Counselor must ensure that the following is accomplished:

(1) If a violation of 18 U.S.C. 203, 205, 207, 208 or 209 (Reference (c)) is suspected, the matter shall be reported to the DoD Component's criminal investigative organization. The investigative organization is responsible for investigating the allegation and notifying DOJ in accordance with DoD Directive Instruction 5525.07 (Reference (d)). In addition, the Ethics Counselor shall:

(a) Report to the DoD Component DAEO as follows:

1. The name and position (optional) of the informant;

2. The name and position of the suspect;

3. The suspected offense;

4. The facts, as known or believed;

5. The status of any action being taken.

(b) File periodic follow-up reports with the DoD Component DAEO until a final determination is made;

(c) If the matter is referred to the DOJ or the U.S. Attorney, include OGE Form 202, "Notification of Conflict of Interest Referral," in the referral packet and send a copy to the DoD Component DAEO for forwarding to OGE.

(2) If a violation of 18 U.S.C. 201 (Reference (c)) is suspected, it shall be handled in the same manner as subsection 10-201.c.(1)(a) of this Regulation, above, except that OGE Form 202, is not used for referrals;

(3) If a violation of 5 C.F.R. 2635 (Reference (e)) in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation involving a loss to the Federal Government of $5,000 or more is suspected, the Ethics Counselor shall report the matter to the DoD Component DAEO in the same manner as in subsection 10-201.c.(1)(a) of this Regulation, above.

d. In addition, if any of the above violations fall within a DoD Component's procurement fraud program, the Ethics Counselor shall ensure that referrals, coordinations, and reports required by that program are accomplished. If the matter includes a suspected violation of the Gratuities Clause in a defense contract, the Ethics Counselor shall report the matter in accordance with DoD Component procedures issued pursuant to FAR 3.203 (Reference (f)). See subsection 10-202 of this Regulation, below.

e. For matters not handled within the DoD Component's procurement fraud program, any civil or criminal referrals to DOJ or the local U.S. Attorney of violations of this Regulation shall be coordinated with the DoD Component DAEO. The DoD Component DAEO shall be informed of referrals of violations of this Regulation handled within the DoD Component's procurement fraud program.

d. Reporting. Any suspected violation of the provisions of 41 U.S.C. 423 2103-2107 (Reference (b)) shall may be reported as soon as practicable to the appropriate contracting officer. (Reference (b)). Any actions taken as the result of the above referrals shall be reported to the DoD Component DAEO in accordance with subsection 10-201.c.(1)(a) of this Regulation, above.

SECTION 3. REFERENCES

10-300. References

(a) Sections 801-940 (UCMJ) of title 10, United States Code

(b) Section 2103-2107 of title 41, United States Code

(c) Sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, and 209 of title 18, United States Code

(d) DoD Instruction 5525.07, “Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Defense Relating to the Investigation and Prosecution of Certain Crimes,” June 18, 2007

a. Overall responsibility for the ethics training programs rests with the Head of each DoD Component acting through his or her DAEO. The Head of the DoD Component shall ensure that adequate resources are available to implement the requirements of this Chapter.

b. The DoD Component Heads and the DoD Component DAEOs, and their designees, have the authority under 5 CFR 2638.704(b)(6) 705(a)(6) (Reference (a)) in subsection 11-100., above, to require that DoD employees, besides the ones covered by Reference (a), receive annual ethics training.

SECTION 3. PROCEDURES

11-300. Initial Ethics Orientation (IEO) for New DoD Employees

a. Within 90 days of entering on duty, all new DoD employees who did not previously receive ethics training shall receive an IEO.

b. Notwithstanding the definition of DoD employee at subsection 1-211209.c., above, the following requirement shall apply to active duty enlisted members. The DAEOs of the Military Departments, or designees, shall ensure that new active duty enlisted members of the Armed Services shall receive, within 180 days of entering on active duty, initial ethics training that is substantially equivalent to an IEO.

c. The term "immediate office," as used in section 2638.703 of Reference (a), in subsection 11-100., above, shall include the local Ethics Counselor's office.

d. An IEO shall be a minimum of 1 hour of official duty time. The amount of official duty time given to new employees to review written materials required by the IEO may be reduced by the amount of time they spend receiving verbal ethics training during official duty time, including the annual ethics briefings for SFOGE Form 278 filers (section 2638.704(d)(2)(i) of Reference (a)), for SFOGE Form 278 filers without the presence of a qualified individual by telecommunications, computer-based methods, or recorded means (section 2638.704(d)(2)(iii)(A)(1) of Reference (a)), or for other covered employees (section 2638.704(d)(3)(ii) of Reference (a)), in the same calendar year or within 90 days of entrance on duty.

e. An IEO that satisfies the requirements for an annual ethics briefing section 2638.704(c) of Reference (a), in subsection 11-100., above) may also be used to meet the employee’s requirements to receive a written annual ethics briefing for the same calendar year. Written annual ethics briefings include the exceptions to verbal briefings for SFOGE Form 278 filers (subsections 2638.704(d)(2)(iii)(A)(2) and 2638.704(d)(2)(iii)(B) of Reference (a)), and written briefings and exceptions for other covered filers (subsections 2638.704(d)(3)(i) and 2638.704(d)(3)(iii) of Reference (a)).

f. Each DoD Component is encouraged to supplement the minimum requirements of the IEO, including but not limited to, verbal briefings, in person or by telecommunications, computer-based methods, or recorded means.

g. Each DoD Component shall maintain records to track that the requirements of section 2638 of Reference (a) in subsection 11-100., above, including the method of training provided to covered employees, have been met.

11-301. Annual Ethics Training (AET)

a. The minimum requirements for an AEB for DoD employees who file OGE Form 278s are established by subsections 2638.704(c), 2638.704 of Reference (a) in subsection 11-100., above. At the DoD Component DAEO’s, or designee’s, discretion, special Government employees, including military flag or general officers, serving more than 60 days in the calendar year, may be briefed in accordance with the exception at section 2638.704(d)(2)(iii)(B) of Reference (a) in subsection 11-100., above. An IEO described in subsection 11-300.f., above, may satisfy the requirement for this exception for the same calendar year in which given.

b. The minimum requirements for an AEB for DoD employees who file OGE Form 450s (section 2638.705.

(1) Each DoD Component is encouraged to provide 1 hour of official duty time to review a written AEB and to supplement the written AEB, including but not limited to, verbal briefings, in person or by telecommunications, computer-based methods, or recorded means, and ethics related articles in command communications, newsletters, and ethics electronic bulletin board systems.

(2) An IEO described in subsection 11-300.f., above, may satisfy the requirement for a written AEB for the same calendar year in which given.

(3) For DoD Components that verbally brief all of their other covered employees during 1 year of a consecutive 3-year period, 1997 shall be the first year of such briefings. Thereafter, verbal briefings shall follow in 3-year increments; e.g., 2000, 2003, 2006; etc.

(4) The following exceptions to verbal AEBs may apply:

(a) The DoD Component DAEO, or designee, may make a written determination that it is impractical to provide a verbal AEB once every 3 calendar years, under section 2638.704(d)(3)(iii)(A) of Reference (a) in subsection 11-100., above. An IEO described in subsection 11-300.f., above, may satisfy the requirement for this exception for the same calendar year in which given.

(b) DoD employees who are special Government employees, who are officers in the uniformed services who serve on active duty for 30 or fewer consecutive days, or who are designated employees (subsections 2638.704(d)(3)(iii)(B), 2638.704(d)(3)(iii)(C), and 2638.704(d)(3)(iii)(D) of Reference (a)), in subsection 11-100., above, may be given written AEBs, in accordance with section 2638.704(d)(3)(i) of Reference (a). An IEO described in subsection 11-300.f., above, may satisfy the requirement for this exception for the same calendar year in which given.

c. Each DoD Component shall maintain records to track that the requirements of section 2638 of Reference (a) in subsection 11-100., above, including the method of training provided to covered employees, have been met.

11-302. Annual Ethics Training Plans. Each DoD Agency (see definition of "Agency" in subsection 1-201., above) shall develop a written plan for annual ethics training for a calendar year by the beginning of that year, in compliance with section 2638.702(c) of Reference (a) in subsection 11-100., above.

The responsibilities of the Heads of the DoD Components, the DoD Component DAEOs, the Heads of DoD Component commands or organizations, the Directors of the DoD Component personnel offices, the administrative officers (or equivalents) of DoD Component commands and organizations, the DoD SOCO, and the DoD employees are established at section 1-400. et seq., above.

SECTION 5. REFERENCES

11-500. References

(a) Part 2638 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations

(b) Executive Order 12674, “Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees,” April 12, 1989

To attract to the Department of Defense people with ability, dedication, and capacity for growth;

To provide opportunity for everyone, military and civilian, to rise to as high a level of responsibility as possible, dependent only on individual talent and diligence;

To assure that equal opportunity and safety programs are an integral part of readiness;

To make military and civilian service in the Department of Defense a model of equal opportunity for all regardless of race, color, sex, religion, or national origin;

To provide equity in civilian employment for older persons and disabled individuals and to provide a safe environment that is accessible to and usable by them;

To hold those who do business with or receive assistance from the Department to full compliance with its policies of equal opportunity and safety;

To help each service member in leaving the service to readjust to civilian life;

To provide a safe and healthful work environment, free from recognized occupational hazards for all personnel; and To contribute to the improvement of our society, including its disadvantaged members, by greater utilization of our human and physical resources while maintaining full effectiveness in the performance of our primary mission.

SECTION 4. ETHICAL VALUES

12-400. General. Ethics are standards by which one should act based on values. Values are core beliefs such as duty, honor, and integrity that motivate attitudes and actions. Not all values are ethical values (integrity is; happiness is not). Ethical values relate to what is right and wrong and thus take precedence over non-ethical values when making ethical decisions. DoD employees should carefully consider ethical values when making decisions as part of official duties.

12-401. Primary Ethical Values

a. Honesty. Being truthful, straightforward and candid are aspects of honesty.

(1) Truthfulness is required. Deceptions are easily uncovered and usually are. Lies erode credibility and undermine public confidence. Untruths told for seemingly altruistic reasons (to prevent hurt feelings, to promote good will, etc.) are nonetheless resented by the recipients.

(2) Straightforwardness adds frankness to truthfulness and is usually necessary to promote public confidence and to ensure effective, efficient conduct of Federal Government operations. Truths that are presented in such a way as to lead recipients to confusion, misinterpretation or inaccurate conclusions are not productive. Such indirect deceptions can promote ill-will and erode openness, especially when there is an expectation of frankness.

(3) Candor is the forthright offering of unrequested information. It is necessary in accordance with the gravity of the situation and the nature of the relationships. Candor is required when a reasonable person would feel betrayed if the information were withheld. In some circumstances, silence is dishonest, yet in other circumstances, disclosing information would be wrong and perhaps unlawful.

b. Integrity. Being faithful to one's convictions is part of integrity. Following principles, acting with honor, maintaining independent judgment and performing duties with impartiality help to maintain integrity and avoid conflicts of interest and hypocrisy.

c. Loyalty. There are many synonyms for loyalty: fidelity, faithfulness, allegiance, devotion and fealty. Loyalty is the bond that holds the nation and the Federal Government together and the balm against dissension and conflict. It is not blind obedience or unquestioning acceptance of the status quo. Loyalty requires careful balancing among various interests, values and institutions in the interest of harmony and cohesion.

d. Accountability. DoD employees are required to accept responsibility for their decisions and the resulting consequences. This includes avoiding even the appearance of impropriety because appearances affect public confidence. Accountability promotes careful, well thought-out decision-making and limits thoughtless action.

e. Fairness. Open-mindedness and impartiality are important aspects of fairness. DoD employees must be committed to justice in the performance of their official duties. Decisions must not be arbitrary, capricious or biased. Individuals must be treated equally and with tolerance.

f. Caring. Compassion is an essential element of good government. Courtesy and kindness, both to those we serve and to those we work with, help to ensure that individuals are not treated solely as a means to an end. Caring for others is the counterbalance against the temptation to pursue the mission at any cost.

g. Respect. To treat people with dignity, to honor privacy and to allow self-determination are critical in a government of diverse people. Lack of respect leads to a breakdown of loyalty and honesty within a government and brings chaos to the international community.

h. Promise Keeping. No government can function for long if its commitments are not kept. DoD employees are obligated to keep their promises in order to promote trust and cooperation. Because of the importance of promise keeping, it is critical that DoD employees only make commitments that are within their authority.

i. Responsible Citizenship. It is the civic duty of every citizen, and especially DoD employees, to exercise discretion. Public servants are expected to engage personal judgment in the performance of official duties within the limits of their authority so that the will of the people is respected in accordance with democratic principles. Justice must be pursued and injustice must be challenged through accepted means.

j. Pursuit of Excellence. In public service, competence is only the starting point. DoD employees are expected to set an example of superior diligence and commitment. They are expected to be all they can be and to strive beyond mediocrity.

SECTION 5. ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING

12-500. General. Virtually everyone in Federal Government service makes job related decisions. Some of these decisions may seem more important than others, but all should be preceded by a consideration of ethical ramifications. In some cases, the ethical element of decision-making will go no further than to consciously acknowledge that there are no significant ethical ramifications to consider. In other cases, in-depth ethical analysis is called for in addition to application of ethics rules. The following plan for decision-making ensures careful review of ethical consequences when there are alternative solutions that seem proper under existing laws and regulations. DoD employees should consider incorporating the following plan in official decision-making.

12-501. Ethical Decision-Making Plan

a. Define the Problem. Proceed from a general statement of the problem to specific statements of the decisions to be made. As you take the following steps, such as identifying goals and naming stakeholders, new problems or needed decisions may become apparent. Be willing to add these to your problem list as you go.

b. Identify the Goal(s). Proceed from a general statement of an end result both long term and short term. Be prepared to add to this list as you take the following steps. Goals are something to strive toward. They are statements of the best possible results. The very best is not always achieved for everyone. Many problems do not allow for "win/win" outcomes. Be prepared to fall somewhat short of some goals for the sake of ethics and other considerations.

c. List Applicable Laws or Regulations. Laws and regulations are basic constraints within which official decisions are made. Until all relevant laws and regulations are considered, ethical decision-making is impossible. Although it is conceivable that an ethical decision could violate a law or regulation, such circumstances are rare.

d. List the Ethical Values at Stake. Listing the ethical values at stake can awaken you to problems and goals that you may not have otherwise considered. It may alert you to stakeholders you may not have recognized. Listing the values reminds you of your commitment to them at a time when the stress of the problem may cause you to forget.

e. Name All the Stakeholders. A stakeholder is anyone who is likely to be affected by a decision. Many stakeholders will be apparent because of the previous steps you already followed. More will occur to you as you give the matter a few minutes of thought. Do not forget to include yourself and the people who may depend on you for support, both at work and at home. As you list the stakeholders, try to note the way your decision could affect them. In other words, name what is at stake for the stakeholder.

f. Gather Additional Information. This step is frequently overlooked. The stress from the problem urges speedy solutions. However, hasty decisions usually create problems of their own. Take the time to gather all necessary information. Ask questions, demand proof when appropriate, check your assumptions.

g. State All Feasible Solutions. By this time, some feasible solutions will have presented themselves. Others may be found by sharing the lists and information you have pulled together and "brain storming." As you state the feasible solutions, note which stakeholders could be affected and what might be gained or lost.

h. Eliminate Unethical Options. There may be solutions that seem to resolve the problem and reach the goal but which are clearly unethical. Remember that short term solutions are not worth sacrificing our commitment to ethics. The long term problems of unethical solutions will not be worth the short term advantages. Eliminate the unethical solutions.

i. Rank Remaining Solutions. Other solutions may not be clearly unethical but may be questionable. You may have to rely on intuition or "gut feelings" to weed out these solutions. Put these possible solutions at the bottom of your list. Rank the remaining solutions, which are all ethical ones, in order of how close they bring you to your goal and solve the problem.

j. Commit To and Implement the Best Ethical Solution. Commitment and implementation are vital to the ethical decision-making process. Determining which solution is the best ethical one is a meaningless exercise unless implementation of the ethical solution follows. If the right decision is not implemented, the door is left wide open for others to implement unethical solutions.

SECTION 6. REFERENCES

12-600. References

(a) Executive Order 12674, "Principles of Ethical Conduct for Government Officers and Employees," April 12, 1988, as amended

A-100. Synopsis of Laws. DoD employees and former DoD employees are cautioned that the descriptions of the laws and regulations in this Regulation should not be the only source relied upon to make decisions regarding their activities. Although the descriptions do provide general guidelines, the descriptions are not exhaustive and restrictions are dependent on the specific facts in a particular case. Accordingly, DoD employees and former DoD employees are encouraged to discuss specific cases with a DoD Component Ethics Counselor (no attorney-client privilege) or with private counsel.

SECTION 2. OTHER LAWS RELATED TO STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT

A-200. OGE Digest. Other ethics statutes are summarized in 5 C.F.R. 2635.801(d) and 902 in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation.

A-201. Related Statutes. Engaging in the following activities may subject current and former DoD employees to criminal and/or other penalties:

a. Aiding, abetting, counseling, commanding, inducing, or procuring another to commit a crime under any criminal statute (18 U.S.C. 2);

b. Concealing or failing to report to proper authorities the commission of a felony under any criminal statute if the individual knew of the actual commission of the crime (18 U.S.C. 4);

c. Conspiring with one or more persons to commit a crime under any criminal statute or to defraud the United States, if any party to the conspiracy does any act to further the object of the conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371);

d. Misuse of a Federal Government vehicle (31 U.S.C. 1344 and 1349(b));

e. Interference in an examination or personnel action in connection with Federal Government employment (18 U.S.C. 1917);

f. Conversion of Federal Government property (18 U.S.C. 641);

g. Private use of public money (18 U.S.C. 653), embezzlement of the money or property of another individual in the possession of a DoD employee by reason of his Federal Government employment (18 U.S.C. 654);

i. Failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1983 and acting as an agent of a foreign principal when required to register (18 U.S.C. 219);

j. Soliciting contributions for gifts or giving gifts to superiors, or accepting gifts from subordinates (5 U.S.C. 7351) applies to civilians; regulations set out in 5 C.F.R. 2635.301 through 304 in subsection 2-100 of this Regulation, and subsection 2-203 of this Regulation, apply to both military and civilian DoD employees;

k. Accepting, without statutory authority, any present, emolument, office or title, or employment of any kind, from any king, prince, or foreign state without the consent of the Congress; this restriction applies to any person holding any office or profit in or trust of the Federal Government, including all retired military members and Regular enlisted members (Article I, Section 9, Clause 8, of the Constitution of the United States; exceptions to this restriction are at 37 U.S.C. 908);